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…

Discussion of educational computer simulations focuses on the parallel instruction theory that was developed at the University of Twente to combine the simulation with instructional materials, including those that may be printed. The MacTHESIS design system and philosophy are discussed, and simulation and learning environments based on the…

Discussion of computers and new information technology in developing countries focuses on China. Highlights include information technology as a tool for national development or as a tool for dependency; Chinese informatics policy; computers in Chinese secondary education; the development of educational software; teacher training; and computer…

Describes a study that was conducted in Scotland to determine whether untrained classroom teachers could learn HyperCard from a minimal manual and then create their own stacks. The development of the minimal manual is discussed, use of the manual and software is analyzed, and teachers' attitudes are examined. (Contains five references.) (LRW)

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.…

Discussion of assessment of student performance focuses on peer assessment and the development of a hypermedia-based peer assessment tool, the MUCH system, at the University of Liverpool (England). A study conducted with undergraduate computer science students that used the MUCH system is described, and student attitudes are discussed. (Contains…

Thirteen 8- to 10-year-old students participated in a Lego-LOGO learning environment, coupling Lego building-block activities with Logo computer programming, to evaluate whether this learning environment was conducive to metacognitive awareness and cooperation. Results suggested positive cognitive and affective outcomes, especially for the younger…

Considers the relationship of the quality of images with the needs of users of digitized manuscripts. Highlights include goals of digitization; for whom to digitize; experiences of the National Library of the Czech Republic digitizing and providing electronic access to historical documents; preparation of manuscript descriptions; usability of…

Schools should anticipate unavoidable problems when implementing a technology plan, project, or program. Technology programs should be built around curricular needs, not gurus. Programs are costly, software remains problematic, and (large) size matters. Blending laptops and desktops is feasible. Faculty consensus helps, and upgrades are…

Describes software which was developed to help collaborating pupils test hypotheses. Discusses use of the software by 9-14 year-old pupils in Scotland, comparing their activity with that of similarly aged pupils who worked with otherwise equivalent software which lacked any prompts. (Author/AEF)

Describes the development of a computer-based learning strategy to assist with the teaching of foreign language business correspondence in a variety of business courses. The article describes the result as a mixture of commercially available software supported by materials designed specifically for the students' needs. (four references) (Author/CK)

Discusses multimedia authoring software that uses hypertext and reviews the ways in which use of this technology may support improvements in assessment. Describes research with sixth graders in England that investigated how pupil-produced multimedia documents can reveal aspects of performance that traditional tests may not recognize. (Author/LRW)

Describes how to plan computer-based activities for second-language classrooms, noting ways that computer use differs in such classrooms. Explains how to plan a lesson, focusing on the activity, grade level, time requirements, software, preparation time, teaching method, pre- and post-computer work, skills used, and teacher's role. Sample lessons…

Discusses computer-assisted language learning for foreign-language teachers, examining the history of educational technology and highlighting CD-ROM for foreign language learning. Looks at various frustrations foreign-language teachers may experience when working with new hardware and software, discusses various types of hardware and software, and…

Discusses the gap in France between institutional support for the use of technology in mathematics teaching and its weak integration into teacher practice. Identifies and analyzes steps in integration and indicates that the role played by technology in moving from being a visual to an essential constituent of the meaning of tasks affects student…