Computer-to-go generation

Article Abstract:

Elementary and secondary schools are increasingly using portable computers to supplement desktop machines in the classrooms, according to a nationwide survey of the technology purchasing plans of school districts conducted by Market Data Retrieval. In 1992, schools have viewed notebook computers as impractical because they lacked color screens, a necessity for most educational software. The advent of color-screen options among notebook computers has changed such perception. Notebook computers offer schools the advantages of mobility and usage 24 hours a day. While cost is still prohibitive in most cases, portable computers may be more economical than desktops on a pennies-per-hour-of-use basis because desktops can only be used during school hours. On the issue of security, some computer industry insiders advocate giving the kids an opportunity to be responsible rather than bolting the portable computers to table tops.

Author: Lewis, Peter H.
Usage, Equipment and supplies, Schools, Laptop computers, Portable computers, Elementary schools, Laptop/Portable Computer, Trends, Secondary Schools

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Computer science is going down

Article Abstract:

There is a palpable decline in the number of computer science majors in US colleges and universities. Analysts attribute this to a failure to train science and mathematics teachers in the elementary and secondary schools, and the drafting of ill-prepared teachers to handle BASIC or Pascal programming classes. Students inclined towards math or science are believed to make career decisions before their junior year in high school. Analysts note that if students are 'turned off' by science careers at that point, they are unlikely to change their minds. Already the effects of the decline are being felt. IBM says that its hiring needs for computer science Ph.Ds surpasses the annual number of graduates from US universities. Other companies complain about the lack of top-quality programmers. More than 50 percent of higher degrees in engineering and computer science awarded in the US go to foreign nationals.

Author: Lewis, Peter H.
Universities and colleges, Study and teaching, Computer science, Computer Education, Careers

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