A Delphi panel of 120 information technology (IT) employers, software producers, and training providers in Germany, Austria, Finland, and Sweden achieved consensus on the following: most small companies are not prepared to use information technology in training; new training technologies seldom live up to their promise; and barriers include time,…

Notes that the availability of statistical software packages has led to a sharp increase in use of complex research designs and complex statistical analyses in communication research. Reports a series of Monte Carlo simulations which demonstrate that this complexity may come at a heavier cost than many communication researchers realize. Warns…

Describes how electronic medical records help the staff at University of Texas Health Services to serve students efficiently and collect data on the patient population. (EV)

Discussion of new educational media and technology focuses on producing and delivering computer-based digital video. Highlights include video standards, including international standards and aspect ratio; camera formats and features, including costs; shooting digital video; editing software; compression; and a list of informative Web sites. (LRW)

Discusses the effects of individual differences and cognitive styles on student learning in hypermedia programs and presents a cognitive model to illustrate how students with different cognitive styles react to non-linear learning in hypermedia by analyzing the findings of previous studies. Suggests implications for the design of hypermedia…

Explains site licensing, which grants certain microcomputer software rights to a school or district for a fee. Differences of rights among vendors are discussed, the impact of networking on-site licensing is described, and examples of the benefits of site licensing in public school districts are given. (LRW)

Examines the following considerations for using computers in adult literacy instruction: why use computers; stand-alone versus integrated learning systems; training and supporting teachers in the use of interactive technologies; and outcomes of computer-assisted instruction. (SK)

Aspects and applications of word processing in the language classroom are examined, including software structure, keyboard and mouse use, advantages over print media for writing instruction, and possibilities for creating tables of contents, indexes, and chapters. A brief bibliography is included. (MSE)

Investigates the effects of realism and perceived control on student satisfaction with the SuperShrink interview. Compares active/passive and computer/hardcopy conditions. Findings show students rate the computer versions as more satisfying. Suggests computers are superior to hardcopy simulations of human interactions. (Author/NL)

Nine computer-assisted career guidance systems are assessed: the Career Information System; CHOICES; CHOICES for Adults; CHOICES Jr.; DISCOVER for Colleges and Adults, for High Schools, and for Junior High and Middle Schools; the Guidance Information System; and SIGI PLUS. Four detailed tables compare features in terms of career decision-making…

Critiques the computer-assisted career guidance systems assessment guidelines by Sampson et al. (CE 521 972). Finds that the system gives consumers important information but is missing the identification of how effective the systems' features are individually or collectively. (SK)

Briefly describes some available database design tools and provides a detailed description and evaluation of the ER-Design Package, a sophisticated and comprehensive tool available on microcomputer. Some of the ER-Design functions evaluated include the main design module, diagram generation, conversion to relational schema, normalization of files,…

Discusses the need to incorporate interlibrary loan statistics into library collection development decisions and describes the Interlibrary Loan Records Keeping System (ILLRKS), a software package for the management of interlibrary loan records. The strengths and weaknesses of ILLRKS are examined, particularly with regard to collection development…

Describes UNIX, a computer operating system that supports multi-task and multi-user operations. Characteristics that make it especially suitable for library applications are discussed, including a hierarchical file structure and utilities for text processing, database activities, and bibliographic work. Sources of information on hardware…

Describes a project in which graduate students with knowledge engineering experience used five different microcomputer-based shells to build a prototype application of an expert system to assist library patrons with business reference questions. The strengths and weaknesses of each product are discussed and compared. (seven references) (CLB)