A broad range of well-structured problems--embracing forms of diagnosis, catalog selection, and skeletal planning--are solved in expert computer systems by the method of heuristic classification. These programs have a characteristic inference structure that systematically relates data to a pre-enumerated set of solutions by abstraction, heuristic…

The use of computers to build diagnostic inferences is presented in two contexts: (1) closed world, exemplified by the space shuttle launch monitoring system; and (2) open world, represented by computerized diagnostic testing of reading comprehension. The analysis shows that the closed world provides a substantially cleaner environment within…

John Wood Community College (JWCC) serves a district population of approximately 90,000 in a predominantly rural section of west-central Illinois. In an effort to address the needs of the rural long-distance learner, JWCC has implemented a variety of instructional delivery techniques. Since its inception, JWCC has contracted with other area…

Over a 15-year period the use of computer technology in the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools increased dramatically, expanding from a small operation supporting the finance department to a full system with applications in all aspects of administration at the central office and local school levels as well as in instruction. Four of the…

The main points on the agenda of this meeting attended by eight chief participants from seven member states of UNESCO in the African Region and several observers were: (1) presentations by participants on their experiences in the application of informatics (i.e., computer applications in information dissemination) in the region; (2) problems in…

The characteristics of application generators and the reasons they are and will be used increasingly in collegiate institutional research are addressed. The incorporation of application generators within a total institutional data and information processing network is also outlined. The analysis considers the often noted "gap" between…

This summary of developments and activities at the University of Delaware Office of Computer-Based Instruction (OCBI) during 1980-1981 includes: (1) a detailed account of the history and development of OCBI which covers background information, utilization rates, the organization of OCBI, the OCBI courseware development process, OCBI publications,…

A set of interactive, computer-simulated experiments was designed to respond to the large range of individual differences in aptitude and reasoning ability generally exhibited by students enrolled in first-semester general chemistry. These experiments give students direct experience in the type of decision making needed in an experimental setting.…

Until recently, computer-aided drafting and design (CAD) systems were almost exclusively operated on mainframes or minicomputers and their cost prohibited many schools from offering CAD instruction. Today, many powerful personal computers are capable of performing the high-speed calculation and analysis required by the CAD application; however,…

LOGO programming language and microcomputer applications for educators are the primary themes addressed in this conference collection of 2 keynote speeches and 32 presentation abstracts (with reference lists). The keynote papers are "LOGO and the Retraining of Teachers," by Kathleen A. Martin and "Should I Use LOGO?" by James…

Despite severe budget limitations, the Bellflower Unified School District in southern California has instituted an outstanding computer education program. This transcript of a panel presentation by school board and staff representatives of the Bellflower Unified School District, describes the district's computer program, its history, its impact on…

Test application and implementation of techniques and methods developed in the planning model, A Policy Information System for Vocational Education, are described in this report. (The computer planning model and policy information system designed for use in planning at the local level brings variables of student interest, manpower demand,…

This paper describes Miami-Dade Community College's (MDCC's) Academic Alert and Advisement System (AAAS), which uses a powerful and sophisticated computer system called Response System with Variable Prescriptions (RSVP) to provide students with information about their progress in a course midway through the term. The paper begins by outlining the…

This collection of three monographs focuses on the development of computerized student and personnel recordkeeping systems. Descriptions of three different computerized systems are presented. The first monograph describes the efforts of the School of Education at Florida International University to overcome problems related to the management of…

This curriculum guide provides an introduction to Management Information Systems (MIS) concepts and techniques for students preparing to develop MISs in professional settings, and to assist in MIS evaluation. According to the guide, students are exposed to concepts drawn from systems theory, information theory, management theory, data base…