The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, February 07, 1983, Image 3
local Battalion/Page 3 February 7, 1983 Micro-computer lab proposed for A&A by Craig Harris Battalion Reporter The accounting department at Texas A&M has received $45,000 to establish a micro computer laboratory for use by accounting students. The new micro-computers are more sophisticated and ex pensive than the micro computers now used in the Academic Computing Center in the Academic and Agency Building, said Dr. James Ben jamin, head of the accounting department. The computers in the ACC are TRS-80 Model Ills and Commodores. The new compu ters will be IBM personal com puters. Benjamin said the computers will be used for Accounting 427, an accounting elective that will become a required course for accounting majors who enroll at Texas A&M in fall 1983. A micro-computer labora tory proposal issued by the accounting department said that the micro-computer laboratory will be a place where students can explore and learn about computer applications in accounting. The proposal also indicated that the micro computer has become a perma nent productive tool in the busi ness marketplace. Funds for the new micro computer laboratory were con tributed by ARCO Oil and Gas Co., and Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. The laboratory, to be located in the Academic and Agency Building, should be in operation by June 1983. er to ilundc 1 Brazos County know f-the-of from he sk sanddi ick flips ile tasl; gclai md sot e fusing s temio: Posey, left, Huntsville, ‘ director of the facilities, look tangles I .West it free asure xpairf 1 ’ mean- 1 ins 01 '. yWOtH an electrical engineering major and Dr. John Painter, center, electrical engineering computer on while Dave Tabor, a staff photo by Octavio Garcia representative from Data Control Corp., types in information on one of the four new computers donated by Data PLATO program. Conrol Corp. for use in the STOPPER 775-TIPS A&M installs computer instruction programs by Mallous Kazmzadeh Battalion Reporter The idea of computer instruc- jion instead of professor instruc tion may become less peculiar at Texas A&M with the installation )f the Programmed Learning nd Training Organization. A pilot installation of PLATO in he Sterling C. Evans Library nicro-computer facility has en- ibled students in an honors- evelcomputer science course to [earn from the computer rather ban from an instructor. Four computers were don- tted to the University by the Control Data Corp., said Dr. Sal- lie Sheppard, instructor for the course. She said the course material is ecorded on a disk that students an check out for a two-hour teriod. “So far, students have been :nthusiastic about it,” she said. Although Fortran is the only :ourse offered this semester on PLATO, various donations — including $395,000 from the Texas A&M Board of Regents —will mean first-level courses in bcalculus, chemistry and physics may be offered by the summer or fall semester. Dr. John Painter, director of the electrical engineering com puter facilities, said PLATO is being used on a two-year trial basis. The money allotted for PLATO will buy 20 more com puters, he said. Three modes exist on the computer — student, instructor andauthor — and each have dif ferent functions, Painter said. The student mode enables tudents to take tests, review grades, examine their level of performance, review notes writ ten by the instructor, and ex amine the objectives of each assingment. The instructor mode can re cord student rosters, examine statistics of the class, leave mes sages for students and add or delete students from the class roster. The author mode enables the instructor to develop, refine and create course material. “PLATO will change faculty members from lecturers and graders into authors, student managers and consultants,” Painter said. Both Sheppard and Painter agreed that the main advantage of PLATO is that the computer can complete tedious grading while instructors monitor stu dents and create course mate rial. Another advantage, said Sheppard, is that students can work at their own pace and re peat lessons as many times as they wish. Students also can ask the com puter questions whenever they are having difficulty. “The computer doesn’t have human weaknesses,” Painter said. “It can repeat anything an infinite number of times with in finite patience.” PLATO was developed at the University of Illinois and cur rently is the most broadly based and supported computer sys tem. In addition to the courses mentioned, the system can pro vide instruction in remedial grammar, medicine, business and Russian. PHI ETA SIGPIA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS Seniors who plan to enter graduate or profes sional schools in Fall 1983 and who are mem bers of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society should get in touch with the faculty advisr Dr. Curtis F. Lard in Rm. 113, System Bldg., Phone 845-3712. National Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society will award eight $1,000 scholarships and twenty- eight $500 scholarships this year on the basis of the student’s scholastic record, evidence of creative ability, potential for success in chosen field, and character. Only members of Phi Eta Sigma are eligible for these gift scholarships. National deadline for submitting applications is March 1. Application forms are available from the faculty adviser to the local chapter. Local deadline for applications is February 23, 1983. WANTA JOB NEXT SUMMER? FUN, VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AND GOOD PAY CAMP LONGHORN’S LOOKING For Counselors, Cooks and Nurses Now offering Choice of terms First -June 3 -June 25 Second -June 25 -July 16 Third -July 16 -Aug. 6 Fourth -Aug. 6 -Aug. 20 To Our '82 Counselors Come for a visit Reward for Prospects FOR VISIT AND INTERVIEW — See Camp Staff at — Tues., Feb. 8 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rudder Tower Rm. 407 A&B Wed., Feb. 9 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rudder Tower Rm. 507 A&B CAMP LONGHORN BOYS CAMP, GIRLS CAMP, RANCH BRANCH Burnet, Texas, 78611 512-793-2811 Welcome to the Gulf Connection We know how much you loved our Mon day shrimp special so now we offer a spe cial Mon.-Thurs. Well travel to the Gulf once a week to buy shrimp. Our cost per pound will be your price per pound. This weeks price/lb. is $5.40 Monday-Thursday 5-7 During Happy Hour! IJVTERURBAJV 505 University Drive, College Station, Texas 846-8741 SHRIMPARAMA MONDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT $5.95 FRIED SHRIMP OUR REGULAR $7.95 Platter with all the trimmings AGGIE OWNED AND OPERATED CLASS ’60 Hicirs SSQTOOD ana STSflK East 29th Street at Carter Creek 1983 Auto Showcase Tue. Feb. 8 — Sat. Feb. 12 at Post Oak Mall New cars from every new car dealer in Bryan/College Station. Compare all the new cars under one roof at Post Oak Mall