Based upon an assessment of new applications of computer technology and upon reasonable speculation about experimental projects that seem to offer particular promise, this paper considers some of the more significant developments in computer technology and their possible effects in education in 1980. A section on hardware discusses some current possibilities and potential uses for large computers and minicomputers and examines the necessity and future of low-cost reliable terminals. The feasibility of extensible higher-level programing languages, a longer range trend toward developing simpler programing languages, and some applications for languages are discussed in a section on software. The final section on systems considers time-sharing services, advances necessary in the communications industry, and computer networks. (Author/SH)