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ERIC Number: ED268987
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1985
Pages: 10
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Project DISC: Developing Indian Software Curriculum.
Jacobi, Carolyn
Project DISC (Developing Indian Software Curriculum) was initiated in the Rapid City (South Dakota) school district to improve Native American children's reading and language arts ability and to provide them with microcomputer skills. During the summer of 1982, introductory computer activities were planned, a computer specialist was hired, and workshops were held for teachers in the two most heavily impacted schools, where the first two computer laboratories would be placed. Each targeted child received 30 minutes of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in language arts each school day. Classes were structured at a 60/40 ratio to avoid children being identified as either belonging to a remedial group, or having the CAI labeled a minority activity. All labs were constructed to measure the same things; e.g., time on task, types of software used, and in-house and out-of-house absences. Test scores after the first 6 months of operation were "statistically significant" in one school and "educationally significant" in the other. Currently, four schools contain computer labs and student and teacher reaction to the project has been very positive. Future plans include adding grades K-6 computer literacy component to each of the four schools, implementing many LOGO activities in the curriculum, and purchasing software that deals with higher-level cognitive skills. A list is provided of computer software, microcomputer peripherals, and written materials available in every lab, and a brochure describing Project DISC is appended. (JB)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners; Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Rapid City Area School District 51-4, SD.
Identifiers - Location: South Dakota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A