Software applications on microcomputers in secondary marketing education programs

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the ways that secondary Marketing/Distributive Education Programs are using computers and the specific software employed. The survey instrument was mailed to 180 National DECA member Marketing/DE Programs which represented 50% of the member programs in the states of MI, ND, SD, WA, VA, and OR. Ninety usable returns were received on which sixty-six instructors indicated that they were utilizing computers in some way. These replies were tabulated and analyzed. From this data and a review of literature it was concluded that computers are a very new part of the majority of Marketing/DE programs in the states surveyed. The amount of time that most students use a computer for Marketing classes was reported as less than one hour per week. The most common computers in Marketing are the Apple II series (II, II+, IIe, and IIc ) and the software designed to run on these machines. Word Processors, spreadsheets, and simulations are the most common types of software being utilized. The following programs were the most frequently mentioned by name as being used successfully: Appleworks and Applewriter by Apple, the DECA contest series, Enterprise Sandwich Shops from Gregg/McGraw-Hill, Gadgetronics from Southwestern, Jeans Factory from Phillips Petroleum Company, the CDEX training programs, and Free Enterprise from SRA Software. The recommendations made by the researcher include the following: that provision be made for students to have more hands-on-time, machine purchases for Marketing should reflect the ownership patterns of the local busines community and not be based solely on what a school district has or on price, a national clearinghouse should be established to exchange information about computers and software in Marketing, and the types of usage should be expanded. It is also recommended that additional studies be conducted to establish if there is a correlation between usage of computers and enrollment in Marketing classes.