APPLE'S EDUCATION GRANTS Apple Computer's education grants to support ; programs that use computers for higher level thinking rather than just drill-and-practice applications In 1979, two years after the founding of Apple, the Apple Education Foundation was established. Its goal was to create examples of how the unique characteristics of microcomputer technology could be used to enhance instruction in ways that are difficult via traditional media. Between 19791982, approximately 170 grants were made to educators to develop model educational software. In 1983, Apple extended its commitment to the nonprofit sector, and the Apple Education Affairs Program became one of four philanthropic programs with the company's Corporate Grants Department. Since 1983, 68 major projects throughout the United States have been supported by education affairs grants. Between 1983-1984, two cycles of grants supported collaborative efforts between colleges/universities and elementary I secondary schools. The most recent awards were made in 1985 under the "next steps" grant cycle. These grants supported 20 projects that use technology to improve educational opportunities for underserved student populations in public and private elementary and secondary schools, in both rural and urban areas. The 1986/87 grant cycle will focus attention on "equal time." Research shows that the number of computers in schools has risen dramatically during the past few years. However, procurement and application of the technology have been uneven: (1) schools in economically disadvantaged communities are less likely to procure computers than those in more wealthy .communities and school districts, and (2) computers in schools servicing traditionally underserved populations are more likely to be used for drill-and-practice applications, rather than those that develop higher-level thinking. For More Information: Equal Time, Apple Education Affairs, 20525 Mariani Ave., M/S SB, Cupertino, CA 95014 Page 34 RAIN Fall/Winter 1986 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN SERVICE AND COMPUTERS CONFERENCE First conference on human services and computer applications to be held in Birmingham, England, September 1987 · · Human services throughout the world are utilizing · new forms of information technology in their work. The First International Conference on Human Service Information Technology Applications is to be held in England in the fall of 1987, bringing together human service workers to discuss and learn about computer applications and their impact on the workplace. Presentation and workshop proposals are being chosen and so far include: choosing systems, finding software, self help groups, computer program development, database design, knowledge engineering, and expert systems. For More Information: Walter LaMendola Information Technology Center, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208-0274, 303-871-2886 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATICS Conference to discuss informatics, the systematic use and exchange of data and information using electronic technology Informatics-the systematic use and exchange of data and information-is revolutionizing all sectors of society. A series of international conferences on international information access are being planned. The first conference of its kind-International Informatics Access '87-is to be held in Dallas at the Baylor University Medical Center, March 17-20, 1987. This conference will provide a forum for policy makers, technical people and networkers to exchange ideas and develop plans of action for furthering informatics access. For More Information: International Informatics Access '87, c/o Baylor Research Foundation, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246.
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