Computer literacy means many different things to many different people.
Philosophically, TIMEX views computer literacy as “… a working knowledge of the computer which enables the individual to utilize the computer as an extension of his or her own mind …”
Putting this philosophy to work requires knowledge of:
- The computer and its capabilities
- Input, processing, and retrieval routines that manipulate the computer and its data
- An elementary (at least) understanding of TIMEX Basic programming
- Methods of utilizing prerecorded software
The TIMEX Education Program works with the academic community to organize and originate computer literacy curriculums at multi-levels: In public and parochial school districts, on the college campus, for adult education training centers, at computer camps, and through circulation by public library systems.
To meet these ambitious goals, a comprehensive TIMEX Education Program has been developed which includes:
- Teacher Training
- Teacher Support
- Hardware Competency
- Administrative Software
- Self-teaching Software
- Minimal Investment
- Fund Raising Activities
- Educator’s Newsletter
Teacher Training — Operating at an educator-to-educator level, the program works in the following manner: A teacher from a school district attends university-based seminars (ranging from 5 to 30-hours) which acquaints the educator with the TIMEX Personal Computer — its features, concepts and operation. (The teacher receives graduate-level credit and/or in-service credit for each seminar.)
Back home, the educator proceeds to train other teachers from the school district.
Then, working like a pyramid, computer literacy flows downward from a single educator to many educators and ultimately is spread amongst a great number of students.
Teacher Support — Comprehensive educator-level materials help the teacher introduce TIMEX-related computer science into the classroom. These support materials include: workbooks (both programming and computer operation), lesson plans, paraphernalia for audio-visual presentations, and CAI software.
CAI (Computer Aided Instruction) software is an important teacher/pupil aid. Through this mechanism classroom instruction is supplemented by computer-based tutelage. In addition to stimulating student interest, CAI offers individual instruction, reinforces new learning skills, and facilitates teacher monitoring of student progress.
CAI instruction is provided by more than 30-TIMEX software modules (now under development) in diverse disciplines such as social sciences, language arts, physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science.
Hardware Competency — As computer literacy advances, increasingly sophisticated hardware can be introduced to stimulate and challenge the student.
For example, at the elementary level, the sturdy T/S 1000 is perfect for inaugurating the computer literacy program. At the next step up-the-ladder, the T/S 1500 with its 16K on-board RAM and typewriter-style, push-button keyboard is more appropriate for the intermediate-level student. At the advanced stage, the larger memory and the greater complexity of the full-color T/S 2068 challenges the skills of the “computer expert.”
The TIMEX Education Program recommends the use of the 1000 series for grammar scholars from K to 6th grade, the 1500 for 7th to 10th graders, and the 2000 series from 11th grade on up.
Administrative Software — TIMEX software also minimizes mundane recordkeeping chores associated with teaching and office administration.
For the teacher, TIMEX software helps reduce the amount of time spent on grading, testing, and student evaluations so more hours can be devoted to teaching.
In the office, the TIMEX Personal Computer helps alleviate the paperwork burden connected with attendance, class scheduling, student and teacher records, and school bus routing and dispatching.
Self-Teaching Software — TIMEX CMI (Computer Managed Instruction) encourages the strengthening of old skills and the fortification of new ones at the student’s own, comfortable, pace.
Individual software modules (under development) for SAT preparation, Driver’s Education, Word Processing, and Vocational Training offers individualized instruction, immediate feedback, positive reinforcement, and stimulates good study habits — in a no-pressure type of environment.
Minimal Investment — One of the very serious concerns in the education community today revolves around the requirement of funding worthy programs like those for computer literacy.
In recognition of these exigencies, a specially price package is available to schools, colleges, computer camps and libraries. So competitive is the TIMEX Education Program offer, an entire computer lab for some 20-students can be equipped with TIMEX equipment for less than the price of a single, higher-priced microprocessor.
Additionally, fund raising activities can be implemented to minimize the strain upon the school district budget.
Fund Raising — Fund raising plans — featuring the TIMEX Personal Computer — have two very big advantages: First, the T/S computer can be purchased by the student or parent for home use to practice skills learned at school; and second, the school earns free computers for use in the classroom.
Educator’s Newsletter — This quarterly publication is available to all educators interested in the TIMEX Educators Program. It is sponsored and published jointly by the Educators User Group at Texas Wesleyan College and TIMEX.
If this school of thought has provided you with food for thought, write for more information (and a subscription to TEC NEWS) to:
Dr. Mark Wasicsko
Associate Dean
School of Education
Texas Wesleyan College
Fort Worth, TX 76105