Four articles respond to the Bader and Nyce position that it is unlikely cultural analysis will become a routine tool for information systems developers with these arguments: ethnographic work can aid software development; the problem lies with inappropriate application of social science methods; the problem is technique, not fundamentals; and…

Provides an overview and evaluation of an Illinois public library project that gave large-group workshops about the Internet and Web page construction, and encouraged intergenerational programming, new library users, and cooperation between adolescents and veterans. Provides the Web address for "Vets on the Net," a Web site for veterans.…

This paper outlines the main findings of research about online portfolio information systems. This research focused on the educational integrity of these educational systems and the maximisation of value across all stakeholders, in particular the value gained from the automation and interaction potential of the online environment. The findings and…

Presents interview data from chemists at Cornell University (New York) who used an experimental electronic journal system. Highlights include a comparison of electronic journals and printed journals; characteristics of an ideal electronic system, including presentation of graphics and text, and its effects on user productivity; and implications…

Describes the use of "Graphical" Jogthrough method for evaluating the user-interface design of the Network Simulator, an educational simulation program that enables users to virtually build a computer network, install hardware and software components, make necessary settings, and test the functionality of the network. Presents evaluation results…

This paper briefly introduces the trends towards e-learning and amplifies some examples of state of the art systems, pointing out that all of these are, to date, limited by adaptability and shareability of content and that it is necessary for industry to develop and use an inter-operability standard. Uses SCORM specifications to specify the…

The study of database systems is typically core in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes related to computer science and information systems. However, one component of this curriculum that many learners have difficulty with is database analysis and design, an area that is critical to the development of modern information systems. This paper…

National legislation that increased the role of accountability testing has created pressure to use testing data, along with other data, for instructional decision-making. Connected to this push for data-driven decision-making, is the increased interest in data delivery systems or Management Information Systems (MIS) in education. But, before…

The theory and practice of the instructional design system includes the categories of design, development, utilization, evaluation, and management; instructional designers and teachers need to determine an appropriate balance of structural knowledge and detailed knowledge acquisition. The purpose of this study was to determine what teachers'…

Feelings of ownership for learning are an important part of the learning process and should be encouraged in e-Learning environments. This paper presents two experimental studies investigating the effects of navigation aids on ownership for learning with electronic texts. Experimental findings revealed that designers should not assume that…

Provides an overview of the design, production, and preliminary testing of a microcomputer-controlled interactive learning workstation developed at Simon Fraser University to teach French as a Second Language. Criteria and guidelines are discussed; the authoring system is explained; and field testing with grades four through seven is described.…

Discusses computer-aided instruction (CAI) for adult learners and describes research conducted at the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory to study the impact of CAI on design professionals, i.e., architects and engineers. Attitudes of adult professionals are examined, and design requirements for a CAI system for professionals…

Interactive multimedia (IMM) is a technology with the potential to change the way people learn, acquire information, and entertain themselves. This technology brings together a range of fields and requires the skills of professionals from those fields. This handbook offers practical advice on issues related to developing successful interactive…

Topic Maps, ISO/IEC 13250 standard, are designed to facilitate the organization and navigation of large collections of information objects by creating meta-level perspectives of their underlying concepts and relationships. The underlying structure of concepts and relations is expressed by domain ontologies. The Topics Maps technology can become…

Addresses issues in designing or enhancing a computerized training room for teaching end-users how to search online databases. These include environmental aesthetics and practical considerations such as lighting, sound, wiring, furniture, and equipment and software selection. How to design the room to suit multiple purposes and to accommodate…