Discussion of library digital reference services focuses on the features of instant messaging reference systems and the in-house development of a system that incorporates them at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Summarizes and evaluates library chat system features and compares commercial software that is available. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study that used a Web-based survey and a modified Delphi technique to identify criteria important to multimedia instructional courseware evaluation, validate them with a panel of instructional technology experts, and examine the effect of conducting panel discussions online. Shows information accuracy and reliability as the most…

Considers ways to include schools' food service departments in technology planning. Discusses school food service software applications, considerations and challenges of automating food service operations, and business-to-business Internet solutions. (EV)

Reports on graduate students' perspectives of their learning experience using NUD.IST--computer-aided qualitative data analysis software--to make use of narrative data. Students' comments gathered from inside classes, class assignments, and course evaluations are highlighted (Author/VWL)

Discusses an old technique going back to Euler for accelerating the convergence of an alternating series. Uses a computer algebra system such as Derive, Maple, or Mathematica to implement this method called Eulerization. Argues that investigations using this technique will improve a student's understanding of infinite series. (ASK)

Suggests that preliminary findings from research on intellectual access to digital images indicate a need for improved browsing tools, image manipulation software, feedback mechanisms, and query analysis. Discusses problems of image retrieval identified in current research, reports on an evaluation project in process, and proposes a framework for…

Baroma (Balance of Rotating Machinery), the Web-based educational engineering interactive software for teaching/learning combines didactical and software ergonomical approaches. The software in tutorial form simulates a problem using Visual Interactive Simulation in graphic display, and animation is brought about through graphical user interface…

Addresses the problem of how to find interesting but previously unknown implicit information within the scientific literature. The use of software, called Arrowsmith, that can create suggestive juxtapositions of Medline records to help biomedical researchers detect new and useful relationships, is described. Contains 34 references. (Author/MES)

Presents a draft for a principle-centered position statement of a Montessori early childhood program in central Pennsylvania, on the pros and cons of computer use in a Montessori 3-6 classroom. Includes computer software rating form. (Author/KB)

Suggests that the money spent ($100 billion) to fix the Y2K bug in the United States resulted in improved campus computer systems. Reports from campuses around the country indicate that both mainframe and desktop systems experienced fewer problems than expected. (DB)

Reviews the research literature about cooperative learning and technology, describes role-playing software programs designed for cooperative learning, and shows how Web pages built on a WebQuest model can be used to augment these programs. (AEF)

Describes a teacher networking project using My Make-Believe Castle, an adventure program developing problem solving skills, that involved 100 elementary teachers around the country and demonstrated the utility of listservs. Discusses teacher observations of problem solving, peer teaching, one-computer classrooms, and deeper learning. (PEN)

Presents a method for libraries with limited budgets to create reliable Web servers with existing hardware and free software available via the Internet. Discusses staff, hardware and software requirements, and security; outlines the assembly process. (PEN)

Discusses the need for libraries to clean up their catalog databases to eliminate duplicate entries, update bibliographic or authority records, and correct errors. Reviews pertinent literature and considers methods that include human review as well as software and matching programs. (LRW)

Discusses children's musical intuitions and two methods of meaning construction, pathmaking and mapmaking. Traces the work of one child who builds the tune Hot Cross Buns with Montessori bells and explains in detail the development. Considers educational implications. (CMK)