Examines the practical realities of upgrading Intel personal computers in libraries, considering budgets and technical personnel availability. Highlights include adding RAM; putting in faster processor chips, including clock multipliers; new hard disks; CD-ROM speed; motherboards and interface cards; cost limits and economic factors; and…

Suggests that, in reviewing software, educators should apply the following criteria within the context of their objectives and the students' needs: content; instructional presentation; demands placed on the learner; technical features; and documentation and management features. Concludes that integration of computer software with traditional means…

Conventional and hosted applications thrive, but open source ERP (enterprise resource planning) is coming on strong. In many ways, the evolution of the ERP market is littered with ironies. When Oracle began buying up customer relationship management (CRM) and ERP companies, some universities worried that they would be left with fewer choices and…

Portals have become indispensable for organizations of all types trying to establish themselves on the Web. Unfortunately, there have only been a few evaluative studies of portal software and even fewer of open source portal software. This study aims to add to the available literature in this important area by proposing and testing a checklist for…

New technology, in the form of electronic connectivity, has opened up vast new arenas for educational development. Many administrators, however, have not been prepared for the sudden change brought about by such technology. The problem for school administrators is how to lead effectively without being overcome by the new information technologies.…

This paper describes the results of reengineering the IS (information systems) MBA (Master's of Business Administration) core course in a private university (Dowling College, New York). The focus of the course is the use of information technology from the perspective of management. In an effort to keep the course material as current as possible,…

Discusses the place of computer science education in the high school curriculum and reports on a survey of schools in five states that investigated computer science teaching responsibilities, hardware and software use, programming languages, how teachers rank instructional resources, and how teachers rank opportunities for their own skill…

Provides answers to the questions Montessori teachers most often ask about the integration of computers into the curricula and classrooms. Gives hardware set-up suggestions, and software recommendations for different age levels, and suggested uses. (ET)

This case study describes the use of an information technology vendor conference to assure the smooth opening of a public library in Portland, Oregon. Vendors for hardware, telecommunications, integrated library systems, and networks met with library administration and staff to troubleshoot problems and share information and to ensure a timely…

Discusses the development of interactive media-delivered training. Highlights include examples; indicators for using multimedia; factors for successful implementation; learning and performance development; evaluating hardware options; technology choices, including interactive videodisc, compact disc interactive, CD-ROM, networked interactive…

Discusses Web-based instruction (WBI)and presents a decision making model based on a set of questions relating to the use of WBI. Topics include motivation for WBI; content and pedagogy, including instructional design; the target audience, including characteristics of successful online students; time factors; resources needed, including costs,…

This paper presents the rationale behind the utilization of a Moodle Learning Management System for the facilitation of a blended learning approach in the Informatics department. The authors present and analyze the steps followed in order to replace the prior decentralized organizational structure of the courses, which consisted of a multitude of…

This opinion paper explores the use of computers in the U.S. Public Education System, concluding that technology is underutilized and not fulfilled most of the educational promises attributed to the tool. Drawing upon research and personal experience, the paper explores 8 possible reasons for the problem, including: the computer itself; not enough…

Discusses problems with the use of technology, especially the Internet, for providing inservice teacher education. Highlights include the gap between available technology and the expertise to use it; antiquated hardware; the rapid growth and acceptance of the World Wide Web and graphical browsers; and the expertise gap between rural and urban…

Discusses the role of information professionals in the future, based on a session at the Online Information 96 conference in London (England). Topics include equipment and software needs; technological advances; a trend toward distance education; how library users are adapting to change; interlibrary loans; online public access catalogs; and…