A Guide to Computers in Education: Instruction

Abstract

This manual is designed to provide guidance for local school districts in planning for the use of computers in the classroom, both as a subject for study and as a tool for teaching and learning in other subjects. Topics covered include goals and objectives, defining strategies for implementation, evaluating equipment and programs, training staff, and establishing fiscal support. The first of nine chapters discusses the educational application of computers and provides information on computer use in Connecticut public schools including the number of computers available for instruction and the brand of computers used. Chapters 2 and 3 cover planning committees, needs assessment, and developing a philosophy, goals, and objectives. Some considerations that are unique to planning for computers are noted, and examples are provided. Issues involved in the development of a computer literacy curriculum are discussed in chapter 4, and several examples of curriculum scope and sequence are provided. Chapter 5 outlines the different ways in which computers can be employed to strengthen instruction in subject areas and reviews examples of such use. Chapter 6 considers how to implement both a computer literacy program and computer use in subject areas, and chapter 7 focuses on the resources needed. Chapter 8 outlines evaluation considerations, and chapter 9 examines the future of educational computing. Appendices provide sources for documents used in production of the manual, a sample needs assessment survey, an outline for an advanced placement computer science course, and endnotes for each chapter. (JB)