Evaluates the 'Library Improvement Program' using data derived from questionnaires administered at each program stage. The results mandate changes in lectures, formats, and student materials; indicate success in reaching incoming students; and show improvement in attitudes, skill retention, and resource usage. Included are 11 references.…

In "A Case Study of an Educational Innovation: the History of Flanders Interaction Analysis System" (Flanders and Amidon, 1981), the research, development, dissemination, and utilization of the system is described. The parallels between the development and use of the system and the development of more recent educational innovations are…

Presents examples from the University of Wisconsin-Extension of ways in which the computer can help extension personnel to better organize and use data in developing programs and in analyzing survey results and other data. (MF)

Examines how faculty at the Pennsylvania State University use electronic resources in planning for their own and their students' research, individual learning, and classroom activities. Also discusses related issues: electronic collections, copyrights, pricing and licensing, faculty computing skills, and the advantages of electronic resources in a…

Reports on a survey of United Kingdom postgraduate distance learning students' use of libraries. Among key findings is the influence of course providers' expectations in determining library use and students' perception that course providers frequently underestimate the need for library use that their courses entail. (Author/AEF)

Discussion of a study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to elicit information about the library's online catalog. Highlights the use of focus group interviews. Topics include experience with other catalogs, approaches to searching, positive feedback, barriers to use, and changes to the catalog as a result of the study. (LRW)

Describes an ongoing project by the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Cortland's library which seeks to facilitate the sharing of CD-ROM databases between four area SUNY college libraries over a wide area network. The resulting impact on reference services is discussed, and user surveys are appended. (Author/LRW)

Describes results of a field study where 74 people were interviewed about their experience with using either an electronic or a printed version of a brief project description. The popular belief that electronic information systems are more efficient was not confirmed. Methodological problems of comparative media studies are discussed. (Author/LRW))

A survey of 884 adults with hearing impairments found they were using e-mail and instant messaging (IM) more than TTY and telecommunications relay services. Virtually all participants had e-mail and IM at home. While the vast majority also had and used e-mail at work, just 1 in 3 had IM. (Contains 2 references.) (Author/CR)

Explores differences in the academic library use of Asian American, African American, Latino, Native American and White undergraduates. Results indicate that students of color reported more academic library use while all undergraduates who engaged in writing activities and read more non-assigned books reported greater library use. (Author/LRW)

Proposes a two-tiered model for analyzing web site usage statistics for academic libraries: one tier for library administrators that analyzes measures indicating library use, and a second tier for web site managers that analyzes measures aiding in server maintenance and site design. Discusses the technology of web site usage statistics, and…

Evaluates the effectiveness of video and interactive multimedia in increasing second-language skills. Subjects were 20 students from an all-girls private high school; half watched an English-subtitled video of a French film and half worked on a multimedia program for the film. Results indicate that an interactive multimedia program is more…

Focuses on two sets of variables that may influence perceptions of helpers in a predominantly European American campus environment. Analysis of 180 African American undergraduates shows that ethnic identity and alienation distinctly influence attitudes toward, and knowledge of, campus mental health services, as well as preference for ethnic…

Discussion of online instructional design by academic librarians focuses on a study at the University of Minnesota that compared mental models of librarians and students as they relate to online library tutorials. Reports on a review of existing library tutorials, usability studies, and student interviews about the research and writing process.…

Discusses the choices academic libraries are making between digital collections and maintaining print collections and describes results of interviews with faculty at the University of Michigan that investigated their use of print and electronic journals. Topics include convenience; access; books versus journals; differences between subject areas;…