The Faculty Scheduling System (FSS), a database management system designed to give administrators the ability to schedule faculty in a fast and efficient manner is described. The FSS, developed using dBASE III, requires an IBM compatible microcomputer with a minimum of 256K memory. (MLW)

Discusses current use of psychological theory in software science and reviews recent developments in cognitive psychology relevant to programing (human information processing, expert-novice differences). Critique of Maurice Halstead's model of cognitive aspects of programing and a structured data flow perspective (control flow and data flow…

Suggests decision making techniques that can be used to estimate the consequences of choosing alternative courses of action, to select an optimum strategy, or to determine how sensitive predicted outcomes are to particular assumptions. Microcomputer use, quantitative techniques, and examples involving item reordering and adoption of word…

INSTAN, a computer program designed to aid in appropriate media selection for classroom teaching, comprises three interrelated sections which focus on instructional objectives, the instructional environment, and instructional material selection. INSTAN is not described as an all-inclusive media selection model, but as a paradigm for further…

Presents methodological considerations in developing an automatic cheap algorithm for computerized path diagraming, gives some plotted results, and describes a program which produces the plots from an input matrix of path coefficients on a standard line printer. The program accommodates unidirectional and reciprocal causation and represents…

This guide discusses the essentials of live virtual reference, preparing for virtual reference, and implementing and incorporating virtual reference. Chapter 1, "Understanding Live Virtual Reference," lays out what virtual reference is and how it compares to other forms of reference. Chapter 2, "Offering Live Virtual Reference," presents ten…

Examines the current state of play in text production and consumption in the specific context of electronic text production and consumption. The article points out that the key to the modern textual revolution is the captured keystroke. It is concluded that text on paper, or some synthetic equivalent, will survive, although voice-driven text…

Describes how multimedia software (COMPEL PE) is used in a core mathematics course in the mechanical and production engineering curriculum at Nanyang Technical University (Singapore) to help students better understand various characteristics of conformal mappings. Describes the ASSURE model used to guide the production of slides for presentation…

The structure, execution, uses, and software specifications for this spreadsheet file are discussed. Availability and modifications of this program are described. (CW)

A computerized model for forecasting the effect of various faculty recruitment policies on the average age of faculty members, average period of employment with the institution, total staff numbers, and resulting cost changes is described. (MSE)

Analyzes the skill acquisition sequence in using a software package and proposes advent models for investigating patterns of user interaction with information systems. The use of transaction log data is explained, advent function analysis is described, and tests of the models on longitudinal data are discussed. (26 references) (LRW)

This article describes the Mobility Coverage Profile and Safety Index, which allows for computerized quantitative and qualitative evaluation of cane coverage by individuals with blindness. The mobility specialist inputs microcomponents of an individual's cane technique and a defined environmental situation, and the software generates a graphically…

Examines the potential application of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Z39.50 library networking protocol as a client/server environment for a scholar's workstation. Computer networking models are described, and linking the workstation to an online public access catalog (OPAC) is…

Argues that a focus on building an authoring tool for a complete learning environment is misplaced. Analyzes the task of authoring a commercial educational system. Describes the Visual Translator, an authoring tool written specifically for this purpose. (Author/CCM)

Describes a computer application that uses graphics, color, and animation to make the learning of statistical reasoning with uncertainty easier and more fun. Notes that the initial implementation focuses on the Dempster-Shafer model, although the design is a framework that can incorporate other models. Also discusses how the tool may be used to…