Discusses the growing importance of machine readable data files (MRDFs) as library reference tools, and describes the policies and services for MRDFs developed at the University of Florida libraries. Guidelines to selecting, acquiring, and planning for MRDFs are appended, along with examples of ERIC records for MRDFs. (four references) (CLB)

Advocates an approach to teaching environmentally related studies based on constructivism. Presents an activity that makes use of data on chemicals in the water supply, and discusses obtaining and using data sets in the classroom. (LZ)

Discusses techniques for managing documents in wide area networks, reviews technique limitations, and offers recommendations to database designers. Presented techniques include: increasing bandwidth, reducing data traffic, synchronizing documentation, partial synchronization, audit trials, navigation, and distribution control and security. Two…

The Advanced Computing/Management Training Program at Jordan Technical Center (Sandy, Utah) simulates an automated office to teach five sets of skills: computer architecture and operating systems, word processing, data processing, communications skills, and management principles. (SK)

Presents abstracts that discuss using data visualization for information retrieval and data mining, including immersive information space and spatial metaphors; spatial data using multi-dimensional matrices with maps; TREC (Text Retrieval Conference) experiments; users' information needs in cartographic information retrieval; and users' relevance…

Oregon State University's demand for bandwidth to support scientific collaboration and research continues to grow exponentially, while state funding declines due to hard economic times. The challenge faced by these authors was to find creative yet fiscally responsible ways to meet OSU's bandwidth demands. Looking at their options for high-capacity…

Each year, Chemeketa Community College (CCC) hosts a meeting of secondary school and college administrators to discuss articulation issues affecting high school students, to develop procedures for increasing the smooth transfer of secondary students to the college, and to pursue projects of mutual benefit. An outgrowth of the spring 1981…

The experience of Western Michigan University in the design and implementation of a combined information/decision support center is described. The center's design was in response to the outcomes of a long-range planning process, which helped identify unmet user needs. Three types of support were found to be required: education and consulting,…

This report describes plans for the development of a major longitudinal research database designed to support the development and validation of new predictors of Army performance, and also new measures of Army performance against which the new predictors can be validated. The following aspects of the database are addressed: (1) the anticipated…

A 1-year study was conducted to implement a computerized data system for the comprehensive evaluation of Individualized Manpower Training System (IMTS) Learning Resource Centers (LRCs). Data for the system were collected by the administration of student, staff, and center summary forms especially designed for the purpose by the University of West…

This is an annual report from a foundation whose principal goal is the development of practical alternatives to the traditional methods of educating children and training teachers. In addition to financial statements, articles are presented which describe the foundation's activities in several areas: (1) an assessment of National Follow Through,…

This examination of turnover among college data processing personnel begins by defining "turnover" and discussing the negative consequences of excessive turnover in terms of retraining costs and reduced staff morale. It then considers seven major causes of turnover: (1) the low supply of and high demand for data processing personnel; (2) the…

Unusual approaches to vocational training offered by the Business Data Processing Program at the Boulder Valley Re-2 Public Schools Area Vocational Technical Center are described, including the facility, equipment, individualized instructional media and materials, advisory committees, environment, curriculum, and placement for (1) the general…

The importance of information systems management to institutional research efforts of colleges and universities is discussed. The goal of information system management is to make an institution's information system more consistent, efficient, and informative. Each of the different functions of the university, such as admissions and registration,…

The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive system for recording enrollment and accomplishment information about Adult Basic Education (ABE) students for use in preparing state and federal reports. Project goals were: (1) to develop a systematic program of individualized instruments and procedures for functional data gathering on…