An assessment of the use of microcomputers to support computer science instruction

Abstract

The use of microcomputers to support a junior college curriculm in computer science is described and evaluated. The microcomputer has been found to be useful to support beginning level students programming in BASIC. Use of the micro to support other courses/languages has been hampered by lack of common editors, difficulties in securing needed compilers, problems with maintenance and security, the inability to share software with potential users and lack of support in the professional community for the concept. A mixture of micro systems and time sharing systems is recommended.