Previous Computer Experience of Preservice Teacher Education Students

The rapid expansion in the use of computers in schools over the last decade has increased the need for preservice teacher education institutions to provide courses which take account of students' previous computer experience. Only limited information is available on the patterns of microcomputer use of secondary school students. No information is known to be available on the previous microcomputer use of students entering tertiary institutions in Australia or overseas, As part of an evaluation of the effectiveness of computer education subjects introduced in the combined Dip.Teach / B.Ed.course offered at lames Cook University, the 1986 to 1988 cohorts of ftrst year teacher education students were surveyed in order to ascertain their previous computer experience.