This paper describes the development of online bibliographic searching at Lamar University, a state-supported university in Beaumont, Texas, and the results of a 1983 users' survey evaluating satisfaction with online searching services. Online searching is defined and its advantages and disadvantages are briefly outlined. The equipment used in…

Today's distance education administrator, frequently with an expertise in another academic discipline, is also supposed to be a distance education scholar. This expectation results from the recent interest in distance learning that nearly all institutions of learning and disciplines of study have shown. More research, studies, journals, and essays…

This report represents the work of the Teacher Education Assessment Committee (TEAC) at Central Missouri State University (CMSU), established in April of 1988. The TEAC is a multifaceted system that conducts and publishes results of periodic assessments and an evaluation of CMSU's Teacher Education Programs by soliciting input from: (1) CMSU…

This report presents the results of an investigation which evaluated the Department of Education's data base on Stafford Loans and discusses how the Department can use the information to prevent loan abuses. The investigation's findings reveal that loan defaulters may have obtained about $109 million in new loans, and that students received…

One recommendation of the 1989 California Strategic Plan for Adult Education is the use of EduCard. EduCard, the Adult Education Access Card, is a means of giving learners access to information about educational opportunities and providing administrators with machine-readable information on learners' prior education and traiing. Three models are:…

There are a multitude of academic and non-academic, economic, physical, and demographic conditions that place children in the high risk of failure category in elementary and secondary schools. Assistance for these children may come through computer-assisted instruction (CAI), not only because software is available that addresses student needs, but…

This curriculum consists of a common core of computer-related knowledge and skills that emphasize developing knowledgeable users of microcomputers rather than computer programmers, technicians, or engineers. Teacher and student editions are provided. Eleven competency-based modules are included. Modules 1, 3, 4, and 6 emphasize hands-on skills…

To provide services and instruction to students based upon identifiable needs, the Individual Student Profile (ISP) System (an automated database system, not yet implemented) was developed. ISP is designed to include three components: academic, health, and self-concept. These components were chosen to coincide with the three learning domains:…

Conducted over the past 15 years by the College of Education at Wayne State University (WSU), the studies of several databases that are described in this paper were designed for the specific purpose of providing factual information related to the problems of education in the public schools and in higher education. As a matter of precept the study…

This digest discusses several aspects of electronic networking, including network functions, implementation, and applications in education. Electronic networking is defined as including the four basic services of electronic mail (E-mail), electronic "bulletin boards," teleconferencing, and online databases, and an overview of these four…

The use of computers by institutional researchers is considered, with a focus on West Germany and Europe. Two developmental stages concerning higher education's political and economic contexts and information technology are addressed, along with the emerging tasks of instititutional research in higher education, and the functioning of…

The development of a faculty information system at Carnegie Mellon University is traced using a case study approach. Attention is focused on the process of system design by committee, the resulting relational database, and its impact on institutional research and university reporting. Technical implementation and details of the system design are…

The role of the professional evaluator within a school district is essentially to provide data for use in informed decision making. In School District 4J in Eugene, Oregon, this role involves performing tasks in three basic categories: (1) maintaining and interpreting ongoing databases, (2) finding and analyzing information to answer specific…

This directory is designed to give a brief, non-technical synopsis of the data files available at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Information regarding tape prices, technical specifications, and ordering information are provided on the opening page. Eleven surveys are listed under the heading Elementary and Secondary, nine…

Changes that computer technology has brought about in higher education and skills needed by faculty and students are discussed. Computer/information literacy is important in higher education and in graduates' work after college. Tools introduced by technology include: microcomputers connected to the university's central computer, electronic mail…