Twitter. Facebook. These names stir up feelings, opinions, and experiences in just about everyone. As these services rise in popularity, libraries have begun to use them to reach out to patrons. Some libraries use Twitter but not Facebook. Some use Facebook but not Twitter. Some use both Facebook and Twitter, while others use neither. Yes, the…

This paper describes one educator's experience with creating multimedia presentation materials for a college computer literacy class. The paper discusses: selecting software--the decision between authoring software and presentation software; selecting hardware--what type of computer systems to select, and issues when classrooms are equipped with…

Describes the development of a community information network funded by LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) Title III money, from the Illinois State Library to Millikin University (Decatur, IL). Highlights include a historical background; strategic planning; community planning for the network infrastructure, including hardware and software…

Discusses how to use computers to facilitate learning with young children in early care and education settings. Includes discussion of software selection, website selection, connections of software and websites to the curriculum, and computer selection. Lists strategies for facilitating equitable access, improving computer availability, and…

Describes methods used by the South Carolina State Library to make its library, both the workstations and the Web site, more accessible to visually and physically handicapped patrons. Discusses choosing new hardware and software, renovating the workstations, and becoming more aware of user needs; and lists resources for Web accessibility…

Provides guidelines for purchasing and installing CD-ROM technology in school libraries. Considerations include hardware and software selection and familiarity with new products. Two lists are provided that contain contact information for six companies and recommendations for six standard CD-ROM reference sources to include on a network. (JKP)

In March 2007, SirsiDynix notified its Horizon and classic Dynix customers that it would not be releasing Horizon 8.0 in favor of developing its Unicorn software. As vice president/president-elect of SirsiDynix's Horizon/Dynix user group, the author was one of the first ones to be notified of this abrupt change in company strategy. The news sent…

Selecting hardware and software for adult literacy instruction is a complicated task requiring careful attention to the integration of various computer models, software packages, and instructional objectives. Decisions surrounding the acquisition and maintenance of technology are further complicated by limited funding, expertise, information, and…

Discusses the selection and evaluation of locally mounted computer files for health sciences libraries, including informational programs such as bibliographic and factual databases; computer-assisted instruction programs; and expert systems. Topics addressed include print sources; database sources; selection criteria, including content and cost;…

Investigates the current state of desktop videoconferencing by exploring the criteria for effective Web-based delivery and communication requirements for effective videoconferencing. Highlights include providing effective training, including team training, group problem solving, and learner performance assessments; communication infrastructure;…

Moodle and Blackboard are two of the most famous and widely-known Learning Management Systems (LMS) over the world especially in the universities and other educational organizations. They have lots in common, but also have some key differences which make each one special in its own way. We note these differences below. If you have used any one of…

It seems appropriate, if not necessary, to use empirically supported criteria to evaluate reading software applications. This study's purpose was to develop a research-based evaluation framework and review selected beginning reading software that might be used with struggling beginning readers. Thirty-one products were reviewed according to…

A comprehensive survey on the Internet based virtualisation of experiments is presented, covering several individual as well as collaborative efforts in various engineering disciplines. From this survey it could be concluded that there is a pressing need to develop full-fledged remote laboratory experiments for integrated directly into engineering…

The Educational Technology Center and the Teacher Education Program at the SUNY College at Old Westbury (New York) used a cooperative approach to integrate computer technology into the teacher education curriculum and to train pre-service teachers how to use this technology successfully in the classroom. In 1989, the Teacher Education Program felt…

In recent years, educators and students are increasingly employing online collaboration applications such as Google Docs[TM] and PBWorks[TM] for group projects and assignments. Yet, the effectiveness of these emerging technologies has not been rigorously examined. Anchoring upon and informed by the existing literature, two design…