This study reports two experiments which indicate that the processes of providing subjects with insightful representations of example programs and guiding subjects through an "ideal" problem solving strategy facilitate learning. A production system model (GRAPES) has been developed that simulates problem-solving and learning in the…

New technical specialties are emerging within the computer industry at a rate threatening the ability of educational institutions to train those who would understand and apply them. The industry's ability to undertake more ambitious projects and to thereby solve more complex problems is limited by an inadequate force of skilled manpower. Thus, it…

Reviews the use of hand held calculators as an alternative to computer assisted instruction at the secondary level in chemistry classes. (SL)

A test of the hypothesis that writing and using computer programs related to selected mathematical content positively affects performance on those topics. Results particularly support the hypothesis. (MM)

Several computer-oriented lessons designed to explore and exploit the problem-solving capabilities of currently available, inexpensive systems are presented. The programing language BASIC is featured. (MP)

Ideas and examples that support the problem-solving role of computers in the classroom are given: procedures, techniques, and sample problems that can be used with beginning, intermediate, and advanced students have been included. (MP)

Describes a series of activities in which students collect data on personal information and interests and use them to create a database file. Constructing a database gives students the opportunity to satisfy their natural curiosity and use numbers as they make predictions, develop number and operation sense, and explore data, fractions, and…

Outlines a course in artificial intelligence for liberal arts students that has no programing prerequisites. Topics and projects included in the course are described, including problem solving; natural language; expert systems; image understanding, or character recognition; and robotic systems. (28 references) (Author/LRW)

The ways in which women tend to be disadvantaged in computing courses are examined. The apparent technology-centeredness of computing, the emphasis accorded mathematics as well as narrow problem solving skills and the undervaluing of broadly based problem solving and communication skills are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Presents the PETAL (Programming Environment Tool) learning environment, and discusses a study where one group of students used PETAL and another used a standard LISP environment to learn recursion. The PETAL group performed better during the learning period and on a written posttest. Theorizes why PETAL may be responsible for improved learning of…

Students with a semester or more of instruction often display remarkable naivety about the language that they have been studying and often prove unable to manage simple programming problems. The main purpose of this study was to create a set of problem-plan-program types for the BASIC programming language to help high school students build plans…

A cooperative work group experiential format is proposed for an introductory college computer course, which views the computer as one of several components of a business information system. The system is applied to a five-step problem solving model, consisting of problem analysis, problem understanding, making decisions, designing the solution,…

This paper reports the results of a phenomenographic study which focused on identifying and describing the conceptions of programming and related phenomena of about 120 computer science and computer engineering students learning to program. The report begins by tracing developments in the students' conceptions of programming and its parts, and…

This study investigated the extent to which participation by high school students in a computer programming course leads to improved critical thinking skills, and whether a significant difference exists in critical thinking skill development between participants in Pascal and BASIC classes. Three groups of high school students were tested using…

The course outline has been prepared as a guide to help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of data processing. By learning the purpose and principles of compiler programs and operating systems, the student will become familiar with advanced data processing procedures that are representative of computer…