Problems in Selecting A Microcomputer for Educational Applications

Abstract

Problems in selecting a microcomputer for educational applications generally fall into about eight categories: defining computer tasks desired; defining computer architecture required; determining available technical in-house support for both hardware and software; reviewing available standard and nonstandard systems; selecting an efficient operating system in common use, such as the CP/M system by Digital Research; selecting a reliable hardware system with adequate dealer service support; selecting, within funding available, the computer system for present and probable needs, including time-sharing, and obtaining adequate software support for the system purchased. Information and recommendations on these topics are provided in this paper.

Keywords::

• microcomputers
• instructional computing
• computer selection