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Ninety-six 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, randomly selected to include equal numbers from each grade level, from both sexes, and from each ability quartile were randomly assigned to either experimental or control procedures. The experimental group used the computer to select courses, while the control group was assisted by the counselor. Three criterion measures, used to assess the relative effectiveness of the computer-based system, are described: (1) a test of student's understanding of information relevant to course selection; (2) students' self-reported reaction to either the computer or the counselor; and (3) a rating of the completed student programs by 5 counselors. No significant differences are reported. The author acknowledges the impossibility of concluding, from this study, that counselors are more effective than computers in assisting students in the exploration and selection of courses. (Author/TL)

This paper describes an exploratory project of computer-assisted occupational guidance used with junior-high school boys in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A student interacts with the computer system from a terminal composed of a typewriter-input and readout device, a tape recorder, and a slide projector. With information related to the students' abilities, preferences, and educational plans stored in the computer, the student chooses one of 40 occupations about which he would like more information. After a brief description, if he wants more information, the computer summarizes his compatibility with the job, plays a taped interview with a worker, projects on-the-job scenes, and types a longer description of the job. The student may inquire about any number of jobs. Reactions to equipment were generally positive, with typeouts seen as most helpful. Content material was seen as at least adequate, although interesting and very useful. Procedures were seen as satisfactory and desirable, although 49% of the boys indicated they missed the opportunity to discuss problems during their sessions with the computer. (BP)

This paper describes an exploratory project of computer-assisted occupational guidance used with junior-high school boys in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A student interacts with the computer system from a terminal composed of a typewriter-input and readout device, a tape recorder, and a slide projector. With information related to the students' abilities, preferences, and educational plans stored in the computer, the student chooses one of 40 occupations about which he would like more information. After a brief description, if he wants more information, the computer summarizes his compatibility with the job, plays a taped interview with a worker, projects on-the-job scenes, and types a longer description of the job. The student may inquire about any number of jobs. Reactions to equipment were generally positive, with typeouts seen as most helpful. Content material was seen as at least adequate, although interesting and very useful. Procedures were seen as satisfactory and desirable, although 49% of the boys indicated they missed the opportunity to discuss problems during their sessions with the computer. (BP)