Describes a tool that allows people to browse several characteristics of federal statistical data contained in 200 Web sites before committing to any specific site. Presents the design process used and results from usability testing for the Relation Browser tool and makes recommendations for comparable applications. (Contains 11 references.)…

Describes the work of usability engineers, who improve computer hardware, software, and websites by focusing on how users perceive and manipulate those tools. Discusses education, training, salaries, and talents needed by usability engineers. (Author/JOW)

Discusses the use of digital cameras in school library media centers and offers suggestions for teachers and students in elementary schools. Describes appropriate image-editing software; explains how to create panoramas, screen savers, and coloring books; and includes useful tips for digital photographers. (LRW)

Provides an evaluation template for student activities professionals charged with evaluating competitive event scheduling software. Guides staff in making an informed decision on whether to retain event management technology provided through an existing vendor or choose "best-of-breed" scheduling software. (EV)

Discussion of performance technology and training evaluation focuses on a job analysis process in the Coast Guard. Topics include problems with low survey response rates; costs; the need for appropriate software; discussions with stakeholders and subject matter experts; and maximizing worthy performance. (LRW)

Discusses technology-support issues, including staff training, cost, and outsourcing. Describes how various school districts manage technology-support services. Features the Technology Support Index, developed by the International Society for Technology in Education, to gauge the operation of school district technology-support programs. (PKP)

Discusses the reliability of technology products that support knowledge management, particularly in higher education. Presents a conceptual framework for knowledge management technology, evaluates available software products, concludes that most products perform poorly, and offers recommendations for knowledge management strategies. (LRW)

Describes how the authors took a small step toward using technology as they developed and used a rubric as a guide for reviewing software. Provides an example of the process of creating a rubric and a model for teachers to adapt or change for their own software evaluations. (SG)

Discusses what journalism advisers fear about developing and maintaining a web site. Offers hypothetical examples of how they might respond to the thought of starting up a web site. Addresses the technology, cost, and time involved. Suggests the toughest challenge is web site maintenance. (RS)

Focuses on educational technologies used in mathematics education. Describes the mathematics education software STELLA which provides the freedom to explore real-world applications in mathematics classrooms. Provides information on how to integrate this software into the mathematics curriculum. (ASK)

An upstate New York district became a pilot site for a technology industry initiative to build software systems that eliminate traditional interdepartmental barriers. This article describes interactive software systems (especially the Schools Interoperability Framework) that can transform a district's administrative tasks into a free-flowing,…

Reviews intelligent tutoring systems and introduces social theory as an alternative to individual learning theory that has served as a basis for intelligent tutoring system development. Discusses social processes and learning, collaborative learning and intelligent tutoring systems, and the need for a revised architecture for intelligent tutoring…

Prompted by the "millennium bug," many school districts are in the process of replacing non-Y2K-compliant information systems. Planners should establish a committee to develop performance criteria and select the winning proposal, estimate time requirements, and schedule retraining during low-activity periods. (MLH)

Describes an interactive computer program that provides students with a means for learning classification concepts in the psychology classroom; if computers are not available, clip art can be utilized to study classification. Maintains that the program encourages students to see the importance of modifying any classification system as new data…

Offers advice on how to identify, select, and implement the technology-based reading instruction program best suited to a school district's needs. Lists organizations that screen instructional technology products. (PKP)