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\F1\CFeb 14,1981












Michael G. Crisp, Vice President and Publisher
SRA, Inc. COLLEGE DIVISION
1540 Page Mill Road
POB 10021
Palo Alto, CA. 94303

Dear Mr. Crisp

\JDr. Ruth E. Davis at Santa Clara University showed me your recent letter about
educational courseware. I'm intrigued and a little nervous. 

I'm intrigued because I'm putting a literacy program together at Santa Clara
and strongly agree that one only understands computation in the context of
an integrated program --text plus machine. I have been trying for over three years
to convince publishers --four of them in that period-- that this is \F3the\F1 way 
to use computing materials for  effective learning.

I'm  a little nervous because many  literacy  courses become  too involved in  
talking about the technology
without proper attention to the fundamental principles --sort of "electronic
driver's education" classes. The approach is unfortunate, but understandable
since the technology \F3is\F1 fascinating. The challenge is to combine this
fascination with a substantial view of what computation means
as an intellectual discipline. This is the
thrust of my Santa Clara University program.

The program at Santa Clara is underway now. A rough first-cut of the basic ideas
 has been worked out in a series of graduate classes I've taught there.
This material has been consolidated, simplified, and augmented  to  become
 a special topics
undergraduate class this spring  that I call \F3The Art of Computer Science\F1.
Though the class will be open to all upper-division students, 
the initial offering will be done within the EECS department. I've
found that many of these students are  computationally "illiterate",
understanding the technology, but having no sense of perspective on their craft.
The expectation is  that
versions of 
this course will be offered to entering students as soon as the 
content and structure get more settled. Several other universities are anxious to
participate when the material stabilizes.

An integral part of these courses is an Interactive Programming Laboratory,
that will exemplify, as best possible, the view of computing that this decade
will introduce --personal computation with languages like Smalltalk, LOGO,
and LISP; applications like VisiCalc and algebraic calculators. Unfortunately,
funding for this project is coming from my own pocket, since I just
decided to "do it" last October, much after traditional funding sources had
been allocated. Alas, in the intervening months, I have been unable to 
gain support for this program in other ways --publishers have been interested
in the books that will come from this effort; computer manufacturers are
interested in  the software; but so far no one has had sufficient vision to
support both. Are you interested?

I'm enclosing a few documents that add a bit more detail to the program.
As you will see, one  goal of this effort is the high school 
 mathematics
and sciences program. I fear  that by the time  students reach college
age, most of their conceptions of these areas are
distorted  beyond repair and they  opt not to further their science
education or drop out entirely. 
I see computing as an elegant way to motivate these disciplines
 as well as relate broader cultural changes.

Below are several means of reaching me; currently, persistence is required 
 since I am up and down the  valley most of the day. 
However, if you find these ideas interesting, please do persist.
\.
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Yours sincerely,


John R. Allen
18215 Bayview Dr.
Los Gatos Ca, 95030

Home: (408) 353-3857
The LISP Co: (408)353-2227
Santa Clara University: (408)984-4538 (Dr. Ruth E. Davis)
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