This digest summarizes diverse viewpoints in the controversy over the meaning and practice of "computer literacy." The issue of whether being able to read and write computer programs should be a a computer literacy requirement for teachers is specifically addressed. Attempts to define computer literacy goals for teachers are noted,…

Describes the comprehensive, college-wide approach to integrating computers in the curricula at Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey). Reviews how the personal computer ownership aspect of the program had an impact on the institution's organizational structure, faculty, and student body. (ML)

Discusses a study which focused on students' actual programming behavior. Descriptive data revealed that the high school students spent little time in planning their programs or writing their code. Their debugging behavior was characterized as a trial and error strategy. (ML)

Discusses the nature and current state of knowledge-based systems and expert systems. Describes an expert system from the viewpoints of a computer programmer and an applications expert. Addresses concerns related to materials selection and forecasts future developments in the teaching of materials engineering. (ML)

Suggests having students design a football field (looking at it from above) as the final project of a unit on computer graphics. Includes listings for 13 short Applesoft programs (involving LO- and HI-RES graphics) which students can use in making the field. Advanced students can use the animation techniques. (JN)

A survey of certification offices was conducted to determine what state departments are doing about computer coursework and certification and/or endorsement requirements for teachers and administrators. Results obtained from all 50 states and four United States territories are provided. (JN)

Highlights research on computer assisted instruction which should lead educators to the conclusion that there should be a computer in every classroom to improve teacher effectiveness and to enhance student achievement. (NEC)

Making Cryptograms is designed to give middle grade students practice in using the FIND and REPLACE features on their word processors. An activity sheet (which may be duplicated for class use) is provided. Instructional strategies are also provided. (JN)

A program written in PASCAL designed to find the number of binary trees possible for a given number of nodes is presented. The problem was found to be highly motivating and exciting for the group of introductory computer science students with whom it was used. (MP)

Ten activity cards, designed to introduce students in upper elementary grades to programing in BASIC, are presented. The concepts and skills involved are thought to correspond to the pupils' knowledge of mathematics and aid in reinforcement. The cards represent a total of about one hour of computer time. (MP)

Several programs deemed good for preschoolers are reviewed, including some that require the child and parent to work the keyboard simultaneously. (MP)

Teaching ideas that focus on reading data generated by a computer, input media with emphasis on one type of punched card, flowcharting, and simple program writing to solve word problems are provided on worksheets designed for classroom use. (MP)

A University of Maryland School of Pharmacy two-credit elective course which is designed to meet the needs of its students with respect to knowledge of computers and their uses in pharmacy is described. Competencies for the course and steps in evaluating and selecting computer systems are provided. (Author/MLW)

A teaching method for introductory computer science based on visualization and using extensive amounts of software is explained. Visualization is used to integrate other student activities, including reading algorithm and data structure descriptions, studying code for model programs and toolkits, designing software components, and building or…

SIGMA (Simulation Graphical Modeling and Analysis) is a computer graphics environment for building, testing, and experimenting with discrete event simulation models on personal computers. It uses symbolic representations (computer animation) to depict the logic of large, complex discrete event systems for easier understanding and has proven itself…