This short paper summarizes the development of ColloCaid (www. collocaid.uk), a text editor that supports writers with academic English collocations. After a brief introduction, the paper summarizes how the lexicographic database underlying ColloCaid was compiled, how text editor integration was achieved, and results from initial user studies. The…

One of the major concerns of employers of labour in this information age is the recruitment of employees with requisite computerized office skills to fit into the various organization's jobs and positions. In Agricultural education, acquisition of these computerized office skills do not only depends on whether one is able to fulfill the paper…

This study sought to assess required information and communication technology (ICT) tasks in selected undergraduate agriculture courses in a land-grant university during a 10-year period. Selected agriculture faculty members in the fall 1999 (n = 63), 2004 (n = 55), and 2009 (n = 64) semesters were surveyed to determine the ICT tasks they required…

This research determines which computer skills are important for entry-level accountants, and whether some skills are more important than others. Students participated before and after internships in public accounting. Longitudinal analysis is also provided; responses from 2001 are compared to those from 2008-2009. Responses are also compared to…

This study reports on the student experience of learning through writing in an undergraduate science subject. During their writing experience, 52 first year university science students used a writing database, bulletin board and word-processor. Using quantitative questionnaires developed from student learning research, this study investigates the…

Presents data model based on text data model (TDM), universal relation model, and nonfirst normal form (NFNF) relations, and discusses applicability to text processing and document retrieval systems. Highlights include database technology applied to information retrieval, NFNF and universal relation, and TDM integration with NFNF universal…

The Computerized Comprehensibility System (CCS) provides an automated copy editing function, generating a mark-up of a draft of a technical document by simulating the simpler comprehension processes of a human reader, and then criticizing the text when these simple processes cannot successfully comprehend the material. A key CCS function is…

Recounts experiences of the Carbon Dioxide Information Center, a technical information analysis center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which has utilized a microcomputer for exchange of automated bibliographic references. Procedures and problems in adding microcomputer information to mainframe databases are noted and other microcomputer…

There is an assumption that high-school students are becoming more computer literate, but published studies of specific skill level are lacking. An anonymous multiple-choice survey self-assessed the ICT (information and communication technology) skills of first-year chemistry students at the beginning of 2002. The general level of ICT skill…

Discusses the relationship between prior computer experiences and the linear or nonlinear steps students choose when working with hypermedia environments and time spent on task (based on a study of graduate students). Experience with content-area software, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, programming, hypermedia, and authoring are…

This paper presents the results of a study designed to determine the computer anxiety, attitudes, and confidence levels of students enrolling in preservice teacher education computing courses. Specific questions compared these students with national norms, and looked to see whether sex, age, or past computer experiences had any effect on measures…

Describes a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course in the United Kingdom that was offered to develop teachers' computer use and skills. Results of four questionnaires that evaluated skills before the course and after one year of teaching are discussed, and requirements for information technology skills are examined. (five references)…

Reports a study that examined entering preservice teachers' prior experience in word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, based on self-reported information. Factors that influenced students' entering skills (for example, gender and computer experience) were noted. Survey data indicated that the subjects had little prior knowledge of…

Three articles discuss various aspects of computers in elementary education: (1) the use of electronic information services with elementary students in Maryland; (2) the introduction of computers into classrooms with students aged 10-12 in Switzerland; and (3) the use of microcomputer-based simulation in the United Kingdom to encourage…

To examine the effects of introducing portable computers into secondary schools, a study was conducted regarding information technology skills and attitudes of staff and eighth grade students prior to and after receiving individual portable computers. Knowledge and use of word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications increased for both…