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The Wake County Public School System, North Carolina, conducted a survey of middle school teachers regarding computer use and compared their use of computers to specific demographics: subjects taught, favored instructional purposes, age, years of teaching experience, and gender. Responses were received from 231 teachers, a response rate of 77%. Middle school teachers used computers more as their level of training increased, especially when the training addressed their specific subject areas. More frequent use was also related to specific training components, such as demonstrations and modeling or coaching and feedback. Participants' teaching areas showed a statistically significant relationship to computer use, with special education teachers most likely to use computers and physical education teachers least likely to use them. Consistent patterns with instructional approach were also evident. Teachers using a student-centered approach showed higher overall computer use. Younger teachers were more likely to use computers. Teachers also reported that having demonstrations and modeling of computer use on site increased their own instructional use of computers. Recommendations are made for continued staff development and additional training with a focus on subjects taught. The teacher survey is attached. (Contains 12 figures and 14 references.) (SLD)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert