The computer program LOGIST (Wingersky, Patrick, and Lord, 1988) estimates the item parameters and the examinee's abilities for Birnbaum's three-parameter logistic item response theory model using Newton's method for solving the joint maximum likelihood equations. In 1989, Martha Stocking discovered a problem with this procedure in that when the…

An important use of multimedia as a learning tool in academia is the process of designing and developing a multimedia project. The design and development process empowers students to explore, discuss, evaluate, and articulate their knowledge in a richer medium. A journalistic approach to examining the virtues, limitations, and components of the…

An investigation into high level event monitoring within the scope of a well-known multimedia application, HyperCard--a program on the Macintosh computer, is carried out. A monitoring system is defined as a system which automatically monitors usage of some activity and gathers statistics based on what is has observed. Monitor systems can give the…

Central limit theorem (CLT) is considered an important topic in statistics, because it serves as the basis for subsequent learning in other crucial concepts such as hypothesis testing and power analysis. There is an increasing popularity in using dynamic computer software for illustrating CLT. Graphical displays do not necessarily clear up…

The process of maintaining mailing lists and other informational files on outdoor program participants is, plainly and simply, a pain in the neck. Mailing list maintenance is particularly difficult for programs that deal with university students, due to their frequent moves. This paper describes a new software program, the Outdoor Program Data…

This paper describes the advantages of using computer bulletin boards systems (BBS) for distance learning, including the use of the New York City Education Network (NYCENET) to access various databases and to communicate with individuals or the public. Questions to be answered in order to determine the most appropriate software for running a BBS…

This report constitutes the proceedings of a three day workshop on Hypertext Standardization held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on January 16-18, 1990. Efforts towards standardization of hypertext have already been initiated in various interested organizations. The major purpose of the workshop was to provide a forum…

This paper explains how Q-technique factor analysis can be used to identify types or clusters of people with similar views. Q-technique factor analysis can be implemented with commonly available statistical software such as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The paper addresses three questions: (1) How many types (factors) of…

This book is designed to give step-by-step instructions necessary to do most major types of data analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). SPSS is a powerful tool that is capable of conducting nearly any type of data analysis used in the social sciences. This book should enable the reader to do 95% of what the program…

Covariance structure analytic techniques have become increasingly popular in recent years. During this period, users of statistical software packages have become more and more sophisticated, and more and more researchers are wanting to make sure that they are using the "best" statistic, whether it be for small sample considerations or…

The introduction of techniques for digitizing photographic images, as well as the subsequent development of powerful image-editing software, has both broadened the possibilities of altering photographs and brought the means for doing so within the reach of many. This article is an informal review of the ways image-editing software can be used to…

Browsing tools have been developed to help users make effective use of the large amounts of information in hypermedia applications, aiding the user both in orientation (Where am I in the collection of information contained in the hypermedia application?) and in navigation (How do I get to another specific piece of information?). There are few…

This resource guide explains the differences between shareware and public domain computer software programs. Over 90 sources that make these programs available are listed, including organization name, address, telephone number, general costs, and computer types. Several sources that specialize in special education software or adaptive software are…

The paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of using word processing programs with learning disabled students, describes some available programs, delineates criteria for selection of word processing programs, and considers expanded uses of word processing with this population. Advantages of word processing programs for learning disabled…

Numbers 1 and 2 of the first volume of the newsletter contains an editor's page and the following articles: "Diacritics on Wordstar: South Asian Language Transliteration without Customized Software" by Tony Stewart; "The Universal Typewriter" by David K. Wyatt and Douglas S. Wyatt; "Multi-Lingual Word-Processing Systems:…