Describes the history of the European Economic Community (EEC), its role in Europe, and its relationship with the United States; explains the movement toward the 1992 establishment of the new Single Market; and explores the implications, problems, and opportunities this presents for the information professional working in a commercial environment…

Reviews and expands on a 1985 study that described a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of an operational full-text information retrieval system, STAIRS, which was used by IBM for litigation support. Problems the user faces are described, and recall/precision studies are discussed. (27 references) (LRW)

Discussion of the role of the information industry, particularly publishers, focuses on seven models that are used to illustrate problems in the industry. Rule structures are presented concerning content areas, the use of technology, information markets, research behavior, communications, governmental issues, and the law. (LRW)

Discusses some of the problems created by the introduction of the Internet to academic library services. Topics include problems with the structure of the Internet, librarians' training on the Internet, the preparedness of current users for the Internet, and the impact on bibliographic instruction. (Author/LRW)

Describes thin clients as low-cost personal computers that lack hardware features and run applications off of a school's central server or via an application service provider on the Internet. Discusses advantages, including being easy to use, easy to manage, and less costly to service; and considers possible problems. (LRW)

This guest editorial discusses the underrepresentation of community colleges in the literature on academic libraries/librarianship. Highlights include the roots of the problem, why this research is important, overcoming barriers, and sources of support. (Contains 6 references.) (MES)

Discusses problems that can arise when distance education is driven more by technology utilization than by proven instructional principles and describes the design and development of a Web-based performance support system that enables designers and teachers to design effective learning that incorporates proven instructional strategies into…

Unintended effects of learning technologies include temptation to play, competing needs for access, displacement of teaching goals, and displacement rather than transfer of costs. These effects can be managed by focusing on design and development, the user, and feedback. (SK)

Highlights problems associated with postgraduate teaching by distance learning and notes the changing environment of higher education, with a greater emphasis on part-time study. Outlines two approaches to change based on experiences at the University of London: an Integrated Networked Learning System, and a Networked Learner Support Environment.…

Discussion of quality in higher education focuses on quality assurance of Web-based learning in distance education, based on experiences at the Open University of Hong Kong. Highlights include problems with distance education; a literature review; traditional learning versus Web-based learning; and the changing role of faculty. (Contains 63…

Discusses possible solutions to three problems information professionals in special libraries may be facing: concerns about company layoffs and cost-cutting that require getting management's attention and promoting your products and services; understanding users and their needs and satisfaction with services; and clients considering using other…

Explores why California's ambitious new aid program, Cal Grants, misses its goals and shortchanges older students; millions in grants go unused while students complain of having eligibility taken away. (EV)

The second annual Educause survey of current issues in campus information technology (IT) found that administrative systems challenges have escalated, the IT staffing crisis continues, distance education is in a steady state, and security management has the potential to experience explosive growth. Includes several tables of findings. (EV)

This article presents a brief retrospective from the editor's point of view covering 25 years of Computers in the Schools. The author then presents some of the ideas relating to obstacles that have prevented a more thorough immersion of information technology in education. Finally, the article introduces the authors and articles that comprise the…

The application of technology to educational settings has always been an interesting phenomenon. Each new technological advance is described as a panacea for whatever ails education at that moment. As people move closer to more current times, the influence of personal computers and the rise of the internet has affected the educational setting in…