The importance and attention given to information systems are relatively new phenomena in the history of higher education. This chapter documents the ascendancy of information systems in the scheme of institutional priorities and considers the strengths and weaknesses associated with vended and homegrown systems.

The feasibility of replacing existing central processing units with a single computer facility is discussed. An analysis of the computing facilities for the Iowa state universities is presented and supports the retention of decentralized facilities. Efficiency, costs, and operating considerations are examined. (SF)

The 1500 System allows only a restricted number of dictionary-graphic areas in core. To solve the practical problems thereof, the Division of Educational Research Services at the University of Alberta attempted to use a universal dot dictionary, but this solution was not feasible for two reasons: Coursewriter input cannot exceed 250 characters per…

Compiled for the benefit of library, archive, and information science schools for use in their information services and systems management courses, this reader is not meant to replace the already existing standard textbooks on this subject, but to provide a more international perspective than textbooks written with the information services of one…

Reviews recent and current research and development projects in the United Kingdom dealing with online information systems. Main areas of research (systems design, impact on user behavior and organizational structure, ergonomics and bibliographic factors) and research techniques (features analysis, transaction log analysis, surveys and comparative…

Summarizes and illustrates the knowledge-based approach to instructional material design. A series of sports coaching handbooks and hypermedia presentations of the same material are described and the different instantiations of the knowledge and training structures are compared. Figures show knowledge structures for badminton and the architecture…