Hand-held computers can give medical students instant access to research findings and patient data. The machines, relatively inexpensive in comparison with laptops, have drawbacks, including small screens and tiny keyboards. Many find the machines very useful; others do not see enough benefit to learn the needed skills. Some professors and…

Outlines the teaching environment that led to the conception of a digital tutor for teaching the concepts and techniques of geographic information systems (GIS). Explains the design and prototyping, introduces the tutor's capabilities, and shares insights gained from using this teaching aid. Includes teachers' and students' responses. (MJP)

Looks at how Pennsylvania State University is examining its evolving research administration infrastructure and investigating electronic research administration. Discusses use of total quality management techniques to view research administration as a single process, determine the best organizational level for various activities, and remove…

College administrators are complaining that "Yahoo! Internet Life" magazine used a flawed surveying process and inaccurate data to select the institutions it named in a recent ranking of "American's 100 Most Wired Colleges." Even some institutions faring well in the ranking have concerns about the survey, citing problems with…

Describes the use of online seminars as part of the curriculum of a distance education program in psychology for middle-aged adults. Addresses structural, educational, technical, and contextual issues, and evaluates the courses. Maintains that expanding technology is radically altering the efficacy of graduate distance education. (MJP)

Discusses the current state of computer managed instruction (CMI) and the advantages it affords both teachers and students. Describes the learning objective as the focus of CMI. Notes the interaction of computer assisted instruction and CMI. Lists a directory of 16 CMI systems. (MVL)

Provides a method to use superscripts and subscripts on the screen by using graphics screen modes. Gives two methods and provides a listing of a sample BASIC program. (MVL)

Describes a tutoring system using a computer network between sixth graders and Master of Arts in Teaching candidates. Notes each student and teacher had access to a computer at home and at school. Develops the tutoring model and discusses the outcomes of the first year. (MVL)

Reviews 70 software programs and 19 print publications, and provides a short synopsis of the best programs. Included areas are: teaching others to use AppleWorks, writing templates, curriculum applications, tools for teachers and administrators, and desktop tools and utilities. Lists resource books for AppleWorks. (MVL)

Discusses under what conditions computer simulations should be used. Considers the aspects and qualities of computer simulations used in simulating science laboratory experiments. Provides suggestions for selecting or designing simulations. Examines the idea of transfer when using simulations. (MVL)

Provides a software program for determining PI to the 15th place after the decimal. Explores the history of determining the value of PI from Archimedes to present computer methods. Investigates Wallis's, Liebniz's, and Buffon's methods. Written for Tandy GW-BASIC (IBM compatible) with 384K. Suggestions for Apple II's are given. (MVL)

Describes the use of computer spreadsheet programs in physical chemistry classrooms. Stresses the application of bar graphs to fundamental quantum and statistical mechanics. Lists the advantages of the use of spreadsheets and gives examples of possible uses. (ML)

The Brigham Young University (Utah) Academic Information Management program, a computer-based academic information and planning system, is described. The system provides students with critical and timely academic planning information, assesses and provides access to student academic information for the academic community, and facilitates…

A prototype computerized expert system was designed to advise high school or first-year college students who are uncertain about a particular college or major. On-demand consultation gathers information about student grades, interests, test scores, and aptitudes, assesses admission qualifications for a variety of majors, then recommends curricula…

A pilot project at the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) used the CAUCUS computer conferencing system on the CAMPUS 2000 education network to train teachers to assess young adults with severe learning difficulties. Despite problems with student attrition and system failure, computer conferencing was felt to be a useful medium for providing…