A compositional effect is when pupil attainment is associated with the characteristics of their peers, over and above their own individual characteristics. Pupils at academically selective schools, for example, tend to out-perform similar-ability pupils who are educated with mixed-ability peers. Previous methodological studies however have shown…

Is it a good thing to have a lot of evidence? Surely the historian would answer that yes, it is: the more evidence that can be used, the better. The problem with this approach, though, is that too much data can be overwhelming for the history student--and, in Ian Phillips's experience, for the history student teacher. In this article Phillips…

Data has played an important role in England's recent school improvement journey. The evolution of the approach has not been perfect but the National Pupil Database has become a vital tool for health checking the education system, driving accountability, directing education policymaking, and tracking the educational attainment of key vulnerable…

We discuss the learning goals, content, and delivery of a University of Plymouth intensive module delivered over four weeks entitled MATH1608PP Understanding Big Data from Social Networks, aimed at introducing students to a broad range of techniques used in modern Data Science. This module made use of R, accessed through RStudio, and some popular…

This paper introduces a Gini-type index for measuring "attainment equity" in schools; that is to say, how far a school (or group of schools) is from having a "fair" proportion of its examination success attributable to a fair proportion of its student population. Using data from the National Pupil Database, the Index is applied…

Summarizes two master's dissertations on uses of microcomputer systems in secondary schools in England. (MD)

Describes a project at the British Architectural Library to automate all of its systems into one integrated database, maintaining the specific requirements of the architectural curator while introducing systems and standards accepted by the librarian. The discussion covers the methods used to achieve a link between objects and documentation. (CLB)

This paper addresses the numerous ways that computers may be used to enhance the teaching of accounting and business topics. It focuses on the pedagogical use of spreadsheet software to improve the conceptual coverage of accounting principles and practice, increase student understanding by involvement in the solution process, and reduce the amount…

Two aspects of Suffolk's Local History Classroom Project are outlined: (1) some procedures used for the construction and use of case study and (2) possible roles for computerized banks of standardized historical data. (Author/SJL)

Describes the release of the British Education Index on CD-ROM, summarizing the deliberations leading to the conjunction of the Australian, British, and Canadian education index databases on the International ERIC CD-ROM. Considers the impact of CD-ROM availability on traditional print media and how it may affect the future development of the…

Argues that provision enhancements for autonomous language learning must be accompanied by improvements in the accessibility of information, an upgrade entailing the use of a database system to catalogue resources. The article presents the case for upgrading and computerizing resource catalogues, describes its implementation at a university, and…

Maintains that both traditional and computerized scholars face problems when they attempt empirical research on women writers and women readers using currently available computational tools. Discusses factors that have inhibited empirical research and uses examples from research on 18th century English poetry. (CFR)

The first of two articles discusses the technical issues of text transfer and processing encountered by the Knowledge Warehouse project. The second describes the development of the concept of a national electronic archive, and discusses issues such as contractual agreements, access control, copyrights, and commercial aspects of value added…

A global survey of new technologies providing opportunities for delivery of the world's knowledge directly to the home and office is presented, along with the organizations now using them, including the French and British videotext systems, the U.S. electronic newspapers, and the computer-assisted video disc. (Author/MLW)

Includes five articles that examine the application of information technology to cultural activities throughout the world. Highlights include the development of information standards for the description of art objects; standards for the computerized exchange of museum information; the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN); vocabulary…