The shift from limited-capacity personal computers to powerful workstation technology offers an environment for writing instruction that allows networking, simultaneous performance of many tasks, and tools for designing custom lessons and individual applications. At Allegheny College (Pennsylvania), a first-year writing course is supported…

Through integration of administrative information systems across diverse technology platforms and opening access to institutional data, Indiana University has begun to expand the concept of academic information systems. The university's experience has resulted in conclusions and guidelines for other institutions to use in AIS planning and…

The University of Miami (Florida) information resources department developed and instituted a program of "jump level leadership" in 1989 to open communication between all hierarchical levels. Results include free flow of ideas within the department, organizational changes, and happier, more effective employees. Successes, problems, and…

A California State University study of alternative job design approaches in the university's information technology community is described. The study was designed to develop a job design approach that could adapt to changing skill requirements, promote continuous acquisition of skills for knowledge-based employees, and improve organizational…

In a six-month period, the University of Alberta (Canada) campus computing services department formulated a strategic plan, and downsized and reorganized to meet financial constraints and respond to changing technology, especially distributed computing. The new department is organized to react more effectively to trends in technology and user…

A computerized system used in an Australian university school of education to allocate faculty teaching loads equitably and flexibly is described. It features reconciliation of workloads based on (1) course design and enrollment and (2) formulas relating to administration, research, and development responsibilities negotiated within the faculty.…

The St. Petersburg Community College District (Florida) has embarked on a $9 million project to create a computer network among its seven campuses, putting a computer on the desk of each teacher and administrator. Three computer companies formed a partnership to support the venture, contributing about $3 million worth of equipment. (MSE)

A computer-based group decision support system (GDSS) to increase collaborative group productivity and creativity is explained. Various roles for the computer are identified, and implementation of GDSS systems at the University of Mississippi and International Business Machines are described. The GDSS is seen as fostering productivity through…

FARM Cheque is a system that integrates technical and farm management advice to provide detailed accounting information to farmers. The program has recordkeeping, software, advisory, and database components. (SK)

When Canadian institutions would not provide courses for the Canim Lake (British Columbia) Band of the Shuswap Indians, Gonzaga University (Washington), 500 miles away, began a program of classes held on the reservation, linkage with the main campus by computer, and an on-campus summer session that entire families attended. (MSE)

Asserts that educators should help students to make the transition to the real world of desktop publishing (DTP) as smooth as possible by presenting DTP concepts in the classroom. Offers seven principles of page design and a classroom exercise on DTP. Reviews several word processing programs that include DTP functions. (PRA)

Several scientific organizations are ready to distribute refereed science periodicals aimed at wide audiences over computer networks. If the experiments succeed, they may stimulate a major shift in the nature of scholarly communication. Some are concerned about the quality of the journals, their reputation, apparent transience of computerized…

Describes a centralized program facility called "UWired," at the University of Washington, as a center for teaching and learning with technology. Suggests that educators need to pay attention to electronic links being forged within the university community and to counter the hype of hardware and software developers promising to provide…

Discusses issues addressed at the Museums and the Web '99 conference (New Orleans, Louisiana, March 11-14, 1999). Highlights include how interaction with the virtual conditions views of the world; shared experiences of being online; virtual objects; new metaphors for seeking, finding and using information; evaluating creations; reconstructing; and…

This paper describes the development and deployment of three Web-based applications used to support research at Pennsylvania State University: (1) OSPweb, an Office of Sponsored Programs database; (2) the Research Administration Tool Box, which offers a comprehensive reference to university and sponsor policies, procedures, and forms; (3) the…