Desktop Computers May Gain Larger Role in Courses

In a move to bring the University up-to-date in the rapidly advancing field of computer technology, Harvard officials are considering several ways to integrate personal computers into the curriculum.

One option under consideration would include the use of the new Apple Macintosh personal computer, which will be available to students at cut-rate prices later this year.

Under the plan, the new computer would be used in Computer Science 11, "Computers, Algorithms, and Programs."

But University officials are still unsure whether the Macintosh has enough power to make it useful in the course, says Paul C. Martin '51, dean of the Division of Applied Sciences.

Currently, approximately 60 students in two experimental sections of CS 11 are using IBM personal computers "to determine if the course will work any better and to see if it is any easier for the students," Martin says.

But the personal computers, on loan from IBM, are especially designed for CS 11, and are equipped with an additional chip to provide the necessary power to complete the course assignments, Martin explains.

"We're not in the business of selling machine A or machine B, but if one makes the course any better, we'll use it," Martin says.

The other 140 students in CS 11 who are not in the experimental section are using the centralized VAX system that has been used in the past.

In addition, students in an experimental section of Expository Writing are currently using Apple II computers and a specially designed computer program which teaches writing skills.

Officials will make a final decision within the next few months on which computer system to use, says McKay Professor of Computer Sciences Harry R. Lewis '68, who leads CS 11.

Last month, Apple Computer announced that it would provide Harvard and 23 other universities with its Macintosh computer for about $1200--half the standard retail price.

Harvard will act as the retailer for the computers, taking student orders through their own Equipment Management store. The College should begin taking orders for the Macintosh, and possibly also for the Apple Lisa system, in early spring.

Harvard, like most universities, currently provides most computing services to students through large central computers to which hundreds of terminals are connected.

Such a system, however, has been rendered inefficient by the growth of cheap personal computers.

The limitation of the Science Center complex for student use were brought home forcefully last spring when instructors of Applied Mathematics 110--now Computer Science 150--decided to teach the course in a more complex language. The change overtaxed the system and forced students to wait up to 10 hours to log onto the system.

"We've taken steps to avoid overcrowding this year, but that doesn't mean there will be no trouble in the future without a change," Martin says, adding that new IBM computers are not powerful enough to be used in courses such as CS 150.

In other recent moves to modernize Harvard's computer facilities, the University purchased two new $200,000 VAX computers last September to add to the Science Center facilities.

At the same time, the University also added approximately 30 new terminals, increasing the number available to about 125.

And last October, the Faculty created a task force to examine how computers can be most effectively used, and it is currently looking to fill a newly created post that would oversee Harvard's computerization plans.

While most students welcome the change as a way to reduce crowding at the Science Center terminals, a few are less impressed.

"It's a pain in the neck to wait around for computer time," says one CS 11 student but he adds he is "still very satisfied" with the computer facilities provided for the course.