Microcomputers in Marketing Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Microcomputers are becoming increasingly available in education, especially in secondary education. It is estimated that in 1980, 50 percent of secondary schools had at least one microcomputer or computer terminal available. Within 3 years, there may be 400,000 microcomputers in secondary schools and 50,000 secondary teachers with computing as their main subject. Sales may total $145 million. Microcomputers can be incorporated into marketing education in five major ways: (1) for computer assisted instruction (such as marketing simulations, sales simulations, case studies, and remedial mathematics); (2) as an occupational tool (such as in inventory control used on a job); (3) to simplify record keeping for Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapters; (4) to help students choose marketing occupations through guidance counseling; and (5) in computer managed instruction. Teacher educators should learn all they can about the use of computers to be able to prepare their student teachers to use them with classes. Ways they can gain knowledge are through workshops and literature, by participating in field studies of manufacturers, and through classes conducted by manufacturers. Although little software is suitable for marketing education at present, many more application programs probably will be available soon. Teacher educators should help their student teachers learn how to judge the suitability of such software. (KC)