This paper reports on a visit by two U.S. middle school teachers, one a special educator, to a conference on educational technology held in Japan. The trip also involved visits to elementary and secondary schools in Japan and a home stay with a Japanese family. The paper addresses misconceptions, differences, and similarities noted by the authors…

One of a series of educational packages designed for implementation either in a workshop atmosphere or through individual study, this Hot Topic guide presents a variety of materials to assist educators in designing and implementing classroom projects and activities centering on the topic of creative writing in the elementary school. The Hot Topic…

Although one role of computers in science education is to help students learn specific science concepts, computers are especially intriguing as a vehicle for fostering the development of epistemological knowledge about the nature of scientific knowledge--what it means to "know" in a scientific sense (diSessa, 1985). In this vein, the…

To be effective, project management requires a heavy dependence on the document, list, and computational capability of a computerized environment. Now that microcomputers are readily available, only the rediscovery of classic project management methodology is required for improved resource allocation in small research projects. This paper provides…

This report reviews eight IBM-compatible software packages that are available to secondary schools to teach computer-aided drafting (CAD). Software packages to be considered were selected following reviews of CAD periodicals, computers in education periodicals, advertisements, and recommendations of teachers. The packages were then rated by…

Possible threats and promises perceived by counselors when computers are introduced into the counseling field are examined in this fact sheet. Computer-assisted counseling and computer-managed counseling are discussed. A seven-step model for designing a "hi-tech" counseling program is presented. (NB)

Today's technology has reached new heights that have not been fully implemented. One of the areas where technology has not yet reached its full potential is in education. This study examined the effects of concreteness of location names and contiguity of location names with textual information on learning from computer-based reference maps. The…

This paper attempts to clarify the meaning of using the computer as a tool for information processing. Provides spreadsheet and database examples of such use for high school geography. (JDH)

The article notes principles of adult learning and lists computer software programs appropriate to the development of (1) reading, writing, and study skills; (2) career and job development; and (3) word processing and other computer skills. (DB)

To determine the effectiveness of using computers to teach problem solving skills to gifted/talented students, 60 elementary students received instruction in either computers, creative problem solving, or the traditional gifted curriculum. One result was that both the computer education and the creative problem solving groups increased in computer…

To help industrial arts teachers make decisions about the use of computer programs in classes containing disabled students, critical elements of appropriate computer software are discussed, includingpurpose and objectives, principles of learning, and major software problems. Recommendations are also presented for developing software and joining a…

This column argues that social studies must begin to address the citizenship training needs of students who will participate in our computer-based electronic society of the future. It describes a database activity on cultural stereotypes and recent computer-related activities of Michigan social studies teachers. (JDH)

This paper considers the origins of computer mapping, where it is today, and where it is headed in the future. The emphasis is on fundamental changes in cartography, the way geographers approach map portrayal of spatial data, and the use of maps in spatial problem solving that have resulted from computerization. (JDH)

Examines the potential value of several established, commercial, remote data base services as well as several specialty bulletin boards that are of interest to student personnel staff. Notes that computerized data bases and bulletin boards can provide bibliographic references and much more. (Author/NB)

School districts should have a plan to reduce potential losses in the event of a data processing disaster. Describes the plan devised for the Fairfax County (Virginia) school system. (MLF)