Hewlett-Packard Corporation grant enabled Harvard Medical School to begin using computer technology in medical educational applications. Hardware and software selection, integration into the curriculum, teaching the use of computers, cost, successful applications, knowledge base access, simulations, video and graphics teaching programs, and…

Nearly every academic practice is being transformed by information technology. The concept of "piracy," or "theft," presumes that ideas can still be treated as if they are property, and if so, that the rules controlling the movement of idea-properties can be enforced. (MLW)

Changes in federal policies and new federal programs intended to improve American competitiveness in the world markets have spurred increased interest in university developed technologies and the technology transfer programs that attempt to move these technologies from the campus into commercial application. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the computer's role in schools comparing past expectations with present status. Summarizes the constructionist approach and an opponent's claim. Provides eight examples of innovative approaches for using computers in school. (YP)

As higher education institutions plan for the future, common agreement to build open distributed computing environments (DCE) using common standards such as those of the Open Software Foundation can help exploit new application design approaches that promote application sharing, a more efficient way of meeting upcoming challenges. (MSE)

World Wide Web (WWW) is a multimedia, globally distributed, client/server information system based on hypertext. WWW browser software (Mosaic, Cello, and Samba) allows users to navigate hypertext documents via the Internet. Libraries are taking advantage of the fact that hypertext linked documents can be easily and inexpensively shared. (JMV)

Discussion of an organizational change at the University of Wisconsin that merged two departments to create the Instructional Technology Center highlights staffing, including staff training and development; space and physical renovation; hardware and software acquisition; the use of multimedia; and implementing a new core curriculum. (LRW)

Examines nine important questions that can help directors of child-care centers in selecting software to assist them with administrative tasks. These questions were developed based on the insights offered by an exchange panel of 200 members currently using center management software. Includes a listing of 24 center management software packages on…

Trends in computer graphics include increasing speed of processing, higher-resolution computer displays, and easier-to-use software with expanded clip-art libraries and high-quality templates. In the 1990s, colleges and faculty should be preparing for the changes this will soon bring in the teaching/learning process. (MSE)

Presents four articles that explore various uses of information technology in libraries: (1) the publication of faculty bibliographies by a university library using microcomputers; (2) automation in Hungarian libraries; (3) integrating Utlas' CD-CATSS system into the cataloging workflow of a university library; and (4) reevaluating an integrated…

Offers several definitions of multimedia, identifies a sample of the most popular multimedia technologies, and provides a discussion of their content. Summaries of software and a few brief case studies of successful elementary and secondary implementations are presented. Addresses of publishers of products mentioned in the article are appended.…

Reviews issues associated with the development of information technology (IT) skills in higher education and considers the implications for library and information studies students. Highlights include graphical user interfaces; resources; documentation; staffing resources; teaching and learning processes; changing technology; new perspectives;…

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York) is requiring all of its 1,000 freshmen to take required calculus courses utilizing the "Maple" computer program which can perform computations and quickly plot graphs. The program is intended to free students from meaningless manipulations and focus on concepts. Most students have reacted…

Discusses the extent to which online use of databases is affected by a foreign language barrier. Topics discussed include the effects in western Europe on establishing a uniform information market; database distribution by language; retrieval software; contracts, documentation, and training; and databases that try to overcome the language barrier.…

Asserts that introducing educational technology into the K-12 curriculum is a major trend. Presents a set of questions that educators should answer as they increase the use of technology in the classroom. Maintains educators need to resist the temptation to use technology to replace important educational activities rather than to enhance them.…