Computer experience and attitudes of 12-year-old students: implications for the UK National Curriculum

Abstract The computer experience of 12-year-old students who had just started their secondary education was investigated. Data was collected on home and school computer use, attitudes towards computers, academic ability, gender and socio-economic group. The results highlight the widely varying and often inadequate computer experience that students have received in their primary education. The computer experience of the majority of students was a long way from being sufficient to fulfil the requirements of the UK National Curriculum. For most students, home computer use formed the major part of their IT experience. Home computer use was found to have the strongest effect on attitudes towards computers. Several significant differences in attitude were apparent between boys and girls. Analysis of academic ability and socio-economic group showed that these factors related to boys and girls in very different ways. All these factors need to be considered when implementing the computer content of the UK National Curriculum.     

Assessing the impact of computer workload on operator stress: the role of system controllability

This paper considers the impact of working with computer-based systems in terms of mental workload and the well-being of operators. In particular, the paper focuses on issues of controllability in human-computer systems as they relate to operator stress. Through the adoption of a state control model of stress regulation, it becomes apparent that while general usability criteria are necessary for the design of controllable systems, they may not be sufficient to guarantee controllability. The implications tot research and system design are discussed, with reference to the assessment of operator workload, controllability and stress. A methodology for assessing computer stress is described, based on the analysis of stressful computer-related episodes and their accompanying affective and cognitive states. This technique allows the relationship between workload and controllability to be studied in particular computer work environments, in relation to individual work goals and coping strategies.     

Time will tell: changes in risk perception and the processing of risk information about the Y2K-risk

A field study was performed on the perceived risks related to the Y2K-problem. Two cross-sectional surveys were executed to study whether risk perception regarding the Y2K-problem, the perceived societal and personal capabilities to mitigate the risks, the attitude toward computers and the attitude toward the availability of information 10 months before 1-1-2000 differed from those a few weeks before this crucial date. Four patterns were distinguished, based on the possible psychological reactions to the approach of a risk threat. Results showed a significant decrease in the perception of the risk, a significant increase in the perceived risk mitigation at the personal and societal level, a significant increase in the perceived awareness of the problem among the general public combined with a significant decrease in the need for information, and no change in the attitude toward computers. This combination of results was considered to fit best one of the theoretically distinguished reaction patterns: danger-control and reassuring information. The applicability of our model to other computer risk areas, as computer viruses, is being discussed.     

Teaching composition online: Whose side is time on?

Although online education is at times envisioned as a time-saving enterprise, a recent, mostly anecdotal consensus indicates that, in fact, online education is more labor intensive for the instructor, if not for the student as well. Previous studies both confirm and deny this consensus because they examine different design paradigms that resist comparison. This study compares the workload for a student-centered paradigm in one face-to-face (F2F) and three online sections of the same composition course, and finds that teaching composition online takes almost twice as much time as face-to-face teaching. The major causes of this disparity appear to be hardware and applications, instructional design, and student learner characteristics.     

一种基于极值理论的故障分布研究方法

应用在金融、电信等关键业务领域中的高端容错计算机具有事务处理能力极强、可用性高、可靠性高等特点。有关此类计算机开展故障分布研究对于故障预测、系统维修,保障系统高可用运行具有重要意义。提出一种基于极值理论的故障分布研究方法,将高端容错计算机故障发生事件作为稀有事件,集中关注数据的尾部特征。与传统方式的故障分布研究方法相比,省去了数据分布形式的先验假设,更适用于小样本的情况。     

Managers,spreadsheets and computing growth: contagion or control?

Abstract. It is widely accepted that managers do not make the most of the opportunities offered by information technology (IT). This study set out to investigate why by establishing what computing facilities managers actually use, and how they use them. The original hypothesis was that adoption of technology was limited by poor training and lack of interest in IT. We set out to establish empirical findings by interviewing managers face to face at their place of work. An exploratory investigation of this nature must adopt a non-directive approach which is not amenable to questionnaire-type survey techniques, and which produces 'soft' rather than quantitative data. As the 'soft' nature of the data ruled out strict statistical methods we used a 'search and refine' technique, to build a structure from all the information we received during the interviews until a clear body of results emerged and could be clarified and confirmed. The research broadly supports the lack of training hypothesis but finds that far from being uninterested, managers are very interested in using IT, but only where it is directly relevant to their own work. The study suggests that training is not enough and must be supplemented by control. The findings support but also refute aspects of Nolan's stage theoy of computing growth. Further research to confirm these findings would be useful, as would comparative studies in organizations where controls on spreadsheets are in place.     

Computers and gradualness: The selfish meme

In making a contribution, a person's life gains meaning. A small contribution affects a few people for a short time, while a large contribution affects many people for a long time. Within the framework of an abstract, computational world, a metric on contributions is defined. Simulation of the computational model shows the critical role of gradualness. Gradualness can be supported by human-computer systems in which the computer does the copying and arithmetic, and the human applies a rich understanding of the world. The role of gradualness in the research areas of machine learning and hypertext is highlighted.     

Patterns of discussion between pupil pairs in computer and non-computer environments

Abstract This paper presents some findings of research into the discussion between pupils in computer and non-computer environments. The research was concerned with analysing the processes whereby pairs of pupils came to make mathematical generalizations in three environments, LOGO , spreadsheet and paper and pencil. Critical decisions in the generalization process were identified in order to allow comparisons to be made across environments. The analysis reveals differences in the effects of task environment on the negotiation of the mathematical generalization particularly in relation to the part played by formalization.     

技术趋于统一 业务走向综合：从Cebit‘94看世界电信与计算机技术的发展

今天的世界电信界和计算机界正处在一个飞速发展的变化时期,高技术日新月异,新产品层出不穷。面对这样一个技术与产品令人眼花缭乱的形势,如何把握世界电信与计算机技术发展的主旋律,看准市场方向,已成为大家非常关心的问题。作者于今年3月下旬赴德国现代科技城汉诺威参加了Cebit’94——国际电信与计算机产品展览会,本文介绍了Cebit’94所展示的最新技术和产品,并围绕当今电信与计算机工业一些主要的技术发展热点进行了讨论。