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.
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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.
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offering
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of terms
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25
Second -June
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Fourth -Aug.
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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
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Welcome to the
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We know how much you loved our Mon
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This weeks price/lb. is $5.40
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1983 Auto
Showcase
Tue. Feb. 8 — Sat. Feb. 12
at
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New cars from every new car dealer
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Compare all the new cars under one roof at Post Oak Mall