Confronting recent design challenges, instructional designers have latched onto adaptive procedural techniques from outside the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) field. This discussion of rapid prototyping (RP) examines the perspectives of: (1) the prototype as the designer"s cognitive tool; (2) the designer as co-inquirer; and (3) the…

Virus programs have become a significant problem in the computer industry. The effects of these programs have been publicized widely. Anyone working with microcomputers cannot have escaped exposure to the term. Yet, there are a large number of people (teachers in particular) who have only vague notions of what viruses are. This paper provides a…

Presenting a comprehensive look at (and critical history of) computer-aided composition (CAC), this book focuses on faculty development of software for composition studies. The book describes who is building these writing tools, how they are doing so, how their work is being received, and what is likely to affect their efforts in the future.…

This publication describes Monsters Make Believe, a computer-based, teacher-developed program for enhancing reading and writing instruction in the elementary grades. Motivation to read and write is provided by the creation of monsters. The software can even offer a vehicle that is able to write a descriptive paragraph. An overview describes a…

This article describes the evolution of computer interface research issues from text-based interface design guidelines to more complex issues, including media selection, interface design, and visual design. This research is then integrated into the Analysis-based Message Design (AMD) process. The AMD process divides the interface design process…

While most microeconomics curriculums contain no reference to the use of microcomputers, spreadsheet packages adapt well to microeconomics courses. This presentation examines the following topics in the context of a microeconomics course: (1) The Microcomputer Spreadsheet Package--LOTUS; (2) The Spreadsheet Anatomy--cells, commands, menus; (3)…

This report describes how the City University of New York College of Staten Island library incorporated the Dow Jones News/Retrieval (DJN/R) service into their collection. Included in the report are some general criteria that the college considered before selecting the DJN/R database system, an overview of the seven categories of databases…

The Hawaii Legislature asked the Office of the Auditor to examine two major Department of Education computer projects--a financial management system (FMS) and a student information and program management system (SIPMS). It also requested guidelines for use in evaluating funding requests for future projects. A 1-year implementation delay in the FMS…

This report describes library applications of electronic bulletin board systems (BBS), i.e., telecommunications software designed to receive incoming calls from other computer systems. It begins by explaining the basics of a BBS; describing a typical configuration, i.e., a microcomputer and a modem connected to standard phone line bulletin board…

Morris Library at Southern Illinois University computerized its technical processes using the Library Computer System (LCS), which was implemented in the library to streamline order processing by: (1) providing up-to-date online files to track in-process items; (2) encouraging quick, efficient accessing of information; (3) reducing manual files;…

An analysis was made of the use of computing tools at the graduate and undergraduate levels in colleges and universities in the United States. Topics ranged from hand-held calculators to the use of main-frame computers and the assessment of the SPSSX, SPSS, LINDO, and MINITAB computer software packages. Hand-held calculators are being increasingly…

The application of computers and information science to health and human service graduate studies at St. Mary's College is described. The programs are built on a microcomputer hardware and software base and draw on national database utilities to facilitate instructor-student communication as well as access to typical library data. The program…

This overview of the home market for microcomputers and computer software presents a brief history of the development of the microcomputer and its use in the home. Factors which shape the home market are discussed, e.g., desire for improvement of educational skills, presence of children, previous experience with a computer, and decreasing prices.…

In the Fall of 1982, Drexel University introduced a new educational program for the 1983-84 academic year that required every freshman to have access to a personal computer for use in all areas of the curriculum. The computer selected was the 128K Macintosh. As of January 1985, approximately 5,000 students, faculty, and staff on the Drexel campus…

During the academic year 1983-84, Drexel University instituted a new policy requiring all incoming students to have access to a microcomputer. The computer chosen to fulfill this requirement was the Macintosh from Apple Computer, Inc. This paper provides a brief description of the process undertaken to select the appropriate computer (i.e.,…