Increasing Use of Microcomputers in Business Education.

Overview & Synopsis

In some aspects, high school business education is the answer to the computer advocate's prayer. Because business education on the secondary level deals in part with numbers, measurement, word processing, and transfer of data by electronic means, it invites computer-aided instruction (CAI) and computer-managed instruction (CMI). The first requirement for the introduction of CAI is to develop teacher understanding of the computer. Higher education, inservice courses, and training programs are needed in keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheet, and database management. What is business education doing regarding use of microcomputers? It is not emphasizing the need for good keyboarding competence; it is neglecting English language instruction; it uses software designed for business as courseware. Business education needs are development of computer-assisted diagnostic (CAD) and prescriptive instruction (PI) and courseware that contains teacher management programs. The leaders in business education need to design a new curriculum to reflect the infusion of the microcomputer. New course titles and outlines are needed. Courseware needs to be developed to incorporate CAD, PI, and teacher management programs, and teachers need to be retrained in the use of the microcomputer and its appropriate courseware. (YLB)