Discusses intelligent front-end processors designed to impose uniform standards on multiple databases and assist searchers, including motivation for development, prototypes from research community, commercial systems using microcomputers, capabilities and problems encountered in developing Franklin Institute's Online Database Search Assistance…

Describes the mouse and other pointing devices used with microcomputers to facilitate easier user-microcomputer interaction, reviews previous educational applications and research, presents a study comparing the efficiency of the mouse with users of different ages, and discusses the implications for software design. (MBR)

Briefly describes some experiments in human-machine interaction in the context of its relevance to multimedia audiovisual instruction, with emphasis on the use of microcomputer systems augmented with slides or audiocassettes. Fifteen references are listed. (Author/LLS)

This essay and 48-item annotated bibliography provide information on potential problems of computer terminal use--cathode ray tube, video display unit, video display terminal--in libraries. Information on ergonomics (matching people to machines in humane way), eyes and vision, and radiation is included. (EJS)

Special types of prosthetic devices have been designed to support the specific needs of disabled and handicapped computer users in retrieving information. Of particular importance are interfaces based on the use of sound, tactile operations, and gestures. Such interfaces may be used to provide disabled people with access to hypermedia information.…

Discusses health hazards associated with use of visual display terminals (VDTs) and provides guidelines for safe use of VDTs in the following areas: radiation, design of work stations, design of VDTs, illumination, glare, work/rest periods, visual testings, ion depletion. An 11-item annotated bibliography of recommended readings and bibliographies…

Discusses information gathered in past few years related to health effects of video display terminals (VDTs) with particular emphasis given to issues raised by VDT users. Topics covered include radiation emissions, health concerns, radiation surveys, occupational radiation exposure standards, and long-term risks. (17 references) (EJS)

Presents a general framework for human factors considerations in training and illustrates the relationship between human factors and computer-based training (CBT) research by descriptions of studies dealing with six major aspects of the CBT interface: training administration, management, instructional design and development, testing and…

The importance of alternative access to computers for persons with developmental disabilities and the ways in which speech recognition technology has been used to reach this goal are discussed. Illustrative studies of the use of speech recognition by persons with disabilities are reviewed, and implications for the effective application of this…

A brief review of the history of computer-assisted instruction and discussion of the current and potential roles of microcomputers in education introduce this review of the capabilities of state-of-the-art microcomputers and currently available software for them, and some speculations about future trends and developments. A survey of current…