Includes three articles that discuss activity theory, based on "Context and Consciousness." Topics include human-computer interaction; computer interfaces; hierarchical structuring; mediation; contradictions and development; failure analysis; and designing educational technology. (LRW)

Paper presents a mathematical framework which describes an aspect of the means of communication between a physical system in motion and a sequential logic network. (Author)

Still no decisive result has been achieved in the automatic machine recognition of sentences of a natural language. Current research concentrates on developing algorithms for syntactic and semantic analysis. It is obvious that clues from all levels of perception have to be taken into account if a long term solution is ever to be found. (Author/MSE)

This paper presents a cognitive account of both the advantages and disadvantages of direct manipulation interfaces, i.e., the use of icons to manipulate and interact directly with data rather than writing programs or calling on a set of statistical subroutines. Two underlying phenomena that give rise to the sensation of directness are identified.…

This paper explores interactivity, and considers what should be done to create a mass market for interactive media. It is suggested that one way to do so is to examine the video game phenomenon, and a model of interactivity is proposed. The model, a "home interactive theater," would involve interaction in the telling of a story, with the…

Describes a user-interactive system for the selection and display of pictorial information stored on microfiche cards in a computer-controlled viewer. (Author)

A system for synthesizing speech from a phonetic input is described. (Author)

Paper describes a method of analysing information based on theories about the way in which human beings tackle this problem. (Author)

This paper proposes a theoretical approach to mediated communication in organizations. It is argued that the man/machine interface in mediated human communication is better dealt with when a comprehensive theoretical approach is used than when separate communication devices are tested as they appear in the market, such as video-teleconferencing.…

A brief review is presented of the characteristics of four maxicalculators (HP 9830, Wang 2200, IBM 5100, MCM/700) and two minicomputers (Classic, Altair 8800). The HP 9830 and the Wang 2200 are thought to be the best adapted to serve entire schools and their unique properties are discussed. Some criteria of what should be taken into account in…

Intended for users of the 3RIP text retrieval database, for retrieval system users with a knowledge of the EURONET Common Command Language (CCL), and for 3RIP system managers, this booklet provides a complete description of the 3RIP retrieval system command language. New functions and recent changes in the 3RIP system are summarized, system…

Designed for student use in solving linear programming problems, the interactive computer program described (EZLP) permits the student to input the linear programming model in exactly the same manner in which it would be written on paper. This report includes a brief review of the development of EZLP; narrative descriptions of program features,…

In this study of current and potential users of teleconferencing media in post-high school settings, more than 50 teleconferencing systems in the United States and Canada were surveyed. Researchers examined instructional, administrative, student service, and interorganizational uses of teleconferencing in educational organizations ranging from…

The Dental Diagnostic Simulation (DDS) System provides an alternative to simulation systems which represent diagnostic case studies of relatively limited scope. It may be used to generate simulated case studies in all of the dental specialty areas with case materials progressing through the gamut of the diagnostic process. The generation of a…

Computer assisted instruction can be used for stimulating rhetorical invention in English composition. The computer program is responsible for the direction of the inquiry and the motivational sequence while the writer is responsible for the content. The resulting interaction raises to the conscious level what writers already know about their…