Discussion of the development of an expert system that will serve as the primary advisor for individual course sequencing in a graduate program focuses on the characteristics and selection of an expert system shell (i.e., software that facilitates expert system development). Advantages, disadvantages, and prices of several commercial products are…

Study examined how learning computer applications in group settings affected individual achievement and attitudes, noting group processes demonstrated by students in a college computer course who participated in individual or group conditions. Pre- and posttesting indicated no between-group differences in achievement or attitude, suggesting group…

Discusses issues surrounding virtual reality and "virtual books." Suggests that those who are exploring the territory of virtual realities are already helping to expand and enrich expectations and visions for integrating technology into reading and writing. (RS)

Deals with three issues regarding computers in schools: (1) security measures for both hardware and software; (2) the usefulness of a network modem; and (3) a faculty workshop on revision. Appends a list if revision questions for writers developed by the faculty workshop. (SR)

The Machine Readable Collections Reading Room of the Library of Congress is described with an emphasis on the reference assistance required and how it compares with assistance required in other areas of the Library of Congress. The interaction between users and librarians is shown to be like that of bibliographic instruction. (EAM)

Provides an overview of the articles in this special issue, which deals with the portability, or transferability, of educational computer software. Motivations for portable software relating to cost, personnel, and time are discussed, and factors affecting portability are described, including technical factors, educational factors, social/cultural…

Discusses factors that must be considered when designing educational software for international, multicultural use. Basic design principles are examined, including graphics and content; system factors are described, including language; cultural differences are discussed; instructional strategies are considered; and the software development process…

Describes five categories of software that can be useful in the basic writing classroom: computer-assisted instruction, computer-controlled instruction, artificial intelligence, computer-based rhetorical invention, and word processing. Evaluates each type of software in terms of their ability to fulfill the goals of basic writing instruction to…

Presents recent changes in the technology, expansion of courseware, and distribution to other institutions of the interactive videodisc courseware utilized as a significant part of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum at the University of Illinois since 1986. (JJK)

Discusses "REFLEX," a software package for scheduling. Explores the program's applications in preparing a departmental class schedule. Explains that "REFLEX" includes a filter function and some attributes of a spreadsheet but lacks the ability to interact with other databases. Concludes that the program can make scheduling…

The Education Development Center of Newton, Massachusetts, recently pilot tested Make It Happen, an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning approach designed to integrate technology into the middle school curriculum while actively engaging students in their own instruction. The I-Search process reflects students' personal concerns and promotes…

This review of computer applications for curriculum-based measurement for students with disabilities looks at available software that provides automatic test administration, scoring, and feedback; automatic graphed analysis for teachers; and supplementary skills analysis. Such applications can save teacher time and provide accurate information…

Examines why the "paperless office" has failed to materialize despite the availability of appropriate information technology. Conceptual limits are discussed, including the continued reliance on relational database management systems; the use of free-text retrieval software is considered; and social limits are described, including access…

This fact sheet about the INTERNET Gopher, an information distribution system combining features of electronic bulletin board services and databases, describes information availability, gateways with other servers, how the system works, and how to access Gopher. Addresses and telephone numbers for additional information or news about Gopher are…

Examines the effects of real-life reading software versus skill-based reading software on inner-city public school students. Finds that students using the real-life reading software felt significantly better than those using skill-based software about their work with the computer and themselves as readers and writers. (RS)