Computers in a School Environment: Preliminary Report of the Social Consequences

Improving Higher Order Thinking Skills by Teaching “With” the Computer

“…It seems unlikely, then, that computer "hackers" numbered exclusively among the high-achievement students. Perhaps these data shed light on Diem's (1986) observation that students assuming leadership roles on the computer were chastened by their peers.…”

“…Clements (1986) demonstrated some transfer of problem-solving skills with children programming in Logo. Other social and motivational student benefits of using tool-mode applications have been reported by Riel (1985) and Diem (1986).…”

“…Evidence suggests that teachers can most effectively operate as mediators available to facilitate and support computerbased activities as students assume responsibility for operating the technology (Diem, 1986;Krendl & Lieberman, 1988;Ragsdale, 1989;Taylor, 1980). Considerable evidence is accruing in support of students working on the computer in pairs or in small groups (Cicchelli & Richards, 1983;Dalton, Hannafin, & Hooper, 1989;Diem, 1986;Krendl & Lieberman, 1988;Scott et al, 1992;Webb, 1984). This orientation to pedagogy is counter to the widespread persistence of "chalk and talk" teaching in secondary schools (Sizer, 1984) and thereby represents a potential obstacle to its institutionalization in that panel (Elder & White, 1989).…”

A computer adventure game as a worthwhile educational experience

“…Diem (1986) and Newman (1984) present the results of ethnographic, classroom-based studies of students, teachers, and computers. In the former case, the way in which "microcomputer technology affected social behavior patterns in upper elementary school classrooms" was studied, while the latter paper presents a case study of "a child's first experience using amicrocomputer for writing."…”

Animal–sediment relationships

“…Another important consideration is that as regards computers, teachers may not have the traditional edge in expertise over children (Light & Blaye, 1990). Furthermore, researchers have noted that peer collaboration frees the teacher of the demand to help a great number of students simultaneously (Damon, 1984;Diem, 1986). Certainly the report of children helping each other on the computer is a common one (Clements, 1987;Light & Blaye, 1990).…”