Date of Award
6-1-1988
Document Type
Thesis - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Keywords
Elementary Education, Gifted Education, Computer Education, Logo Programming, Teacher Inservice Training, Computer Programming Languages, Computer Literacy
Abstract
The author addressed the problem of meeting the needs of elementary school gifted students in the mainstream computer literacy instruction. The objectives of the practicum were to provide the teachers with a knowledge of Logo commands and concepts and to help the teachers develop a positive attitude toward the use of Logo. Twelve workshop sessions were held for the target group of eight teachers. The teachers received instruction in the computer programming language Logo. A study guide and sample programs, developed by this author, served as the basis for instruction. The guide contains theoretical background information about Logo plus related Logo activities. The activities were designed to be used in the workshops and also to serve as a reference for developing additional activities following the workshops. The concept of Logo as a philosophy of education and a "Logo environment" as an element of that philosophy was addressed in the delivery of the workshops. The delivery method incorporated teaching techniques described by Cron (1983) and Leron (1985). In a post-implementation survey, 100 percent of the teachers indicated that they had adequate knowledge and materials to teach Logo. Furthermore, 100 percent of the teachers in the target population used Logo activities at least once in the three week period following the workshops. These results indicated that the workshops, the study guide and the sample programs provided the teachers with the confidence and ability to incorporate Logo into the mainstream computer literacy instruction. (Appendices include the study guide, workshop lesson plans, program listings and recommendations for workshop facilitators.)