Applications of Microcomputers in Marine and Aquatic Education

In the 1960´s and early 1970´s computers were large, expensive, and inconvenient which limited their use in education. The invention of the microprocessor made possible relatively inexpensive and portable microcomputers. As a result microcomputers have rapidly made their way into the classroom. This intrusion provides an avenue for those of us in marine and aquatic education to infuse information about lakes and oceans into existing curricula. This avenue is the development and distribution of well designed microcomputer programs. A survey of the types of programs possible and their effectiveness reveals opportunities for the marine and aquatic educator in filling a desperate need for quality programs.