Date of Award

7-1988

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Diane Denney

Second Advisor

Gene Henderson

Abstract

A problem faced by many schools in the 1980s is how to approach computer ir1struction in the elementary grades. Schools have moved into a new technological realm with the advent of the modern microcomputer. The focus of this project was to investigate current trends in computer education in the elementary grades in respect to computer placement within the schools and content of computer education programs. The paper addresses, specifically, the lack of a computer program in the Warren County RIII School District and the rationale for developing a computer lab in the elementary school. An interim plan is also proposed, which can be used with the current placement of computers until such time as a computer lab becomes economically feasible.

A brief history of computers in education, and a review of theories and practices relevant to computer education in the elementary school follows the introductory chapter. In Chapter III, components of a lab plan are described, including objectives, materials for use in computer education, and a cost analysis for a computer lab and resource room. Plans for the new elementary school in the Warren County School District incl.1de provisions for a computer lab, however, until the building is complete and a computer teacher can be hired, computer education remains the responsibility of the classroom teachers. Chapter IV contains a practical plan for computer education in the Daniel Boone Elementary School in the interim, including a guide for use by the elementary teachers , which has been submitted to the Superintendent of the Warren County School District and approved for use in the elementary school. The guide offers suggestions for promoting computer literacy and introducing computer skills at each grade level. A software listing is included in the guide which shows the grade level and subject area for each program owned by the school, as well as a brief description of the program.

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