Can a Computer Utilization Survey Course be Justified in a Curriculum for Public School Teachers?

Overview & Synopsis

The feasibility of computer applications in teacher education programs and growing importance to educational professionals of knowledge of computers provide a framework which justifies the need for a computer utilization survey course in the teacher education curriculum. Instructional management systems to keep records and to monitor student progress are increasing, and the use of computers in the classroom is just beginning to develop. Teachers need to understand and to be able to use computer resources which are available to them. One study in higher education revealed that computer applications have made little progress in the humanities. A computer assisted instruction course on statistics and test construction was favorably evaluated by most of the teacher education students enrolled. A concise, nontechnical introduction to the use of computers in education is a viable alternative to the direct acquisition of computer skills. (CH)