Compares support calls and related costs for customers who received quality documentation for a messaging system with calls from users who received condensed, inadequate documentation. Estimates that using quality documentation saves the company $1 million annually. (RS)

Student Assistant for Learning from Text (SALT) is a software system for developing hypermedia versions of textbooks for students with reading difficulties. Ten students with learning disabilities in grades 9 and 10 read passages from a science textbook in either the basic or computer-enhanced version. Students using the enhanced version received…

Discusses some widely available spatially referenced datasets, including raster and vector datasets. Strategies for improving accessibility include: acquisition of data in a software-dependent format; reorganization of data into logical geographic units; acquisition of intelligent retrieval software; improving computer hardware; and intelligent…

Discusses the evolution of constructivist learning environments and examines the collaboration of simulated software models, virtual environments, and evolving mental models via immersion in artificial realities. A sidebar gives a realistic example of a student navigating through cyberspace. (JMV)

Discusses the development of phraseological machine translation based on the theory that in natural languages, phraseological units cannot always be reduced to words. Describes the phraseological translation process of computer software and machine dictionary systems that translate Russian into English and English into Russian. (JMV)

Presents a guide to multimedia production staffing. Discussion includes understanding the market (profit and loss), the management and production teams, costs, salaries and budgets, the preproduction phase, the production and design phase, staff cooperation, work assignments, media-specific professionals, and quality control. Sample staffing costs…

Reviews "robot" search engines specifically developed for information retrieval on the World Wide Web, examines automated and designated robot searching tools, and offers tips to help users judge the usefulness of Web search engines. Discusses sample searches of automated and designated search engines and presents example computer…

Practical problems with multilevel techniques are discussed. These problems relate to terminology, computer programs employing different algorithms, and interpretations of the coefficients in either one or two steps. The usefulness of hierarchical linear models (HLMs) in common situations in educational research is explored. While elegant, HLMs…

Discusses the current use of simulation and gaming in a variety of settings. Describes advances in technology that facilitate the use of simulation and gaming, including computer power, computer networks, software, object-oriented programming, video, multimedia, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Considers the future use of simulation…

Describes some of the Shakespeare software available to educators. Explains some of its applications in the secondary school language arts classroom. Shows how Shakespeare texts on disc allow students to cut sections of the play to enhance their own performances (for example, a 20-minute version of "Much Ado About Nothing") and how…

Discusses the movement toward digital-based platforms including full-motion video for multimedia products. Hardware- and software-based compression techniques for digital data storage are considered, and a chart summarizes features of Digital Video Interactive, Moving Pictures Experts Group, P x 64, Joint Photographic Experts Group, Apple…

Discusses hardware requirements, functions, and applications of five information processing and desktop publishing software packages for the Macintosh: HyperCard, PageMaker, Cricket Presents, Power Point, and Adobe illustrator. Benefits of these programs for schools are considered. (MES)

This article examines the impact of computer technology in social skills assessment for people with disabilities. The article describes the technology, implications of the technology, and the role of micro versus macro analysis in social skills assessment. Implications for direct service and research are discussed. (JDD)

Examines reasons for cataloging backlogs in libraries and describes a preliminary theory of backlog dynamics. Formulas for predicting backlogs are discussed, backlog models are explained, the use of computer simulation software to form models is described, and further research is suggested. (five references) (LRW)

Found that a preschool girls' microcomputer group did not show more positive gender-role attitudes toward computers on a posttest when compared with a girls' control group. With equivalent instruction designed to hold the interest of girls, boys completed a significantly greater number of LOGO tasks than girls after the intervention. (Author/KS)