Mémoire (M.Ed)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1986. / "Mémoire présenté à l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi en vue de l'obtention de la maîtrise en éducation" CaQCU Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 47-50).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1998. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-69).

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In this study, the effect of computer use and Logo instruction on students' perceived control of computers and generalized perceived control was examined. Third and fourth grade students (<u>N</u>=90) in four intact groups, consisting of one treatment and one control group for each grade level, were pre- and posttested, using the computer control survey (CCS) and the Chi1dren's Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale (CNS-IE). A posttest measure of Logo achievement was obtained from the treatment students. Three way analyses of covariance, using the pretest scores as the covariate, were used to test for differences between the means of the independent variables group, grade, and gender for the dependent measures CCS and CNS-IE. Comparisons of adjusted posttest scores on these variables indicated that no significant differences existed between the groups. A linear association was found between Logo achievement and the children's perceived control of computers. Selected reliable items from the CNS-IE correlated with Logo achievement, although the full 40-item instrument did not. It is suggested that Logo instruction leading to Logo programming experiences may not produce in the children a sense of perceived power concerning the computer, nor lead to generalized LOC differences. Future researchers in this domain are advised to control for the internality of the sample and for the children's prior computer experience. Attention to the age/cognitive level of the sample, and length of treatment are suggested. / Ed. D. / incomplete_metadata

Research shows that many elementary school teachers dislike mathematics and have a fear of teaching the subject. To overcome this problem of poor mathematics teachers in the elementary schools we need to focus on our teacher training programs. This paper presents an alternative model for the lab portion of an undergraduate mathematics course for elementary school teachers and describes the design process used to develop that model. The model reflects the need to provide elementary school teachers with mathematical environments where they can actively investigate and construct their own mathematics. This model utilizes the computer and the programming language Logo to develop “microworlds”, ideal for illustrating important mathematical concepts visually and for making abstract ideas concrete. Research indicates that the use of the computer in this manner as a tool for teaching and learning mathematics can not only enhance mathematical understanding but can improve the learnings attitudes about themselves as a mathematician. Each lab provides the student with written lab materials as well as an activity disk with pre-developed Logo “microworlds”. The “microworlds” set the stage for exploring elementary mathematics topics such as operations on whole numbers, number theory, fractions, and probability. The written materials provide student behavioral objectives as well as guided discovery activities to be used to explore and expand the developed “microworlds.” / M.A.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

From Introduction: The impact of computer technology has not yet been felt in South African primary schools. Yet it is believed that the effect of microelectronics on society will cause a revolution as significant as the industrial revolution. Whereas the industrial revolution amplified and extended the power of human muscles, the new microcomputer technology will mostly be concerned with amplifying and extending the power of the human mind. In order that the future generation might come to terms with the rapidly changing conditions, it is suggested that children of school age benefit by gaining experience with the new technology. It was against this background of challenge that I began to explore various uses of the new technology. The Cockcroft Committee (1982) investigation considered many aspects of mathematics teaching in primary and secondary schools in England. They gave a clear indication of the place of the microcomputer in mathematics teaching when they made this significant observation, "There can be no doubt that the increasing availability of microcomputers in schools offers considerable opportunity to teachers of mathematics to enhance their existing practice and also to work in ways which have not hitherto been possible." (para. 402). The aspect of 'doing' mathematics 'in ways which have not hitherto been possible' caught my attention. I saw the microcomputer as a powerful tool which would extend the children's range of mathematical experiences through the use of simulations. Seymour Papert (1980) propounds an exciting vision of education for the future which consists of collaboration between computers and children. His philosophy does not allow for computers programming children through drill and practice methods. He envisages the child programming the computer and mastering the powerful technology by using a highly active problem solving method. Besides learning problem solving skills, the aspect most emphasized by Papert (1971, 1972, 1980) is that through building and experimenting with computer programs, a child ought to gain new mathematical insights in the topic under investigation.

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if learning to program a computer in either BASIC or Logo improves the problem-solving skills of fifth grade students when compared to a control group that receives no programming instruction, and (2) to determine if learning to program a computer in Logo is more effective than learning to program in BASIC for improving problem-solving skills in fifth grade students. Subjects were 132 fifth graders from two suburban elementary schools. The materials used in the study were the Computer Challenge Guide for the BASIC group and Logo in the Classroom for the Logo group. The New Jersey Test of Reasoning Skills was used as the pretest and posttest measure.