Argument mapping (AM) is the activity of plotting a diagram representing the logical connections between evidence and the claims it supports, with boxes connected by lines. AM can massively benefit students and their communities. Not only is it about twice as effective at improving student critical thinking any other method and enhance student…

This paper presents a mobile learning application for a learning course at higher education level. Based on the RSS feed technology, the presented mobile application establishes an in-time communication channel between the instructor and his/her students to keep them up-to-date with all course important dates, instructions and information in…

Almost all work on music information retrieval to date has concentrated on music in the audio and event (normally MIDI) domains. However, music in the form of notation, especially Conventional Music Notation (CMN), is of much interest to musically trained persons, both amateurs and professionals, and searching CMN has great value for digital music…

This paper explains the similarities and differences between electronic mail and computer conferencing, and identifies the features one should look for in a modern conferencing system. It also clarifies some related terminology. Advantages of computer conferencing are first outlined, including: time- and space- independence; text-based medium;…

The Community Access Through Technology Project (CATT) is developing and implementing virtual reality software that persons with disabilities can use to experience a physical location prior to visiting it in person. A virtual scenario of one physical location has been developed, implemented, and tested, and work is underway on two others. Using a…

This paper begins with background on intelligent agents (software programs built to perform certain specific tasks for the user). A taxonomy that categorizes intelligent agents by the degree of intelligence embedded in the software is presented. Applications of today's intelligent agents are discussed, including specific examples of the following:…

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is an electronic medium that combines orthographic form with real time, synchronous transmission in an unregulated global multi-user environment. The orthographic letters mediate the interaction in that users can only access the IRC session through reading and writing; they have no access to any visual representations at…

The National Library Service (NLS) is developing a digital talking book and Braille book system for use by the blind and physically handicapped community. The following elements drive the design of the program: NLS offers a free library service; NLS is consumer-driven; NLS pays no royalties to copyright holders; the program is accessible to a wide…

Focuses on a Web-based version of a national survey for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) of public library involvement with the Internet. Describes the procedures used to develop the Web-based questionnaire, identifies issues concerning Web-based research, and presents recommendations for the future…

While working collegially, academics usually maintain an objective distance from the work of their peers. Higher education institutions also tend to differentiate themselves from other institutions and define their own special niche in the marketplace. These attitudes are concerned with establishing uniqueness and they contribute to an academic…

This article examines the current state of available programming and content delivered via the Internet for individuals with severe disabilities. An examination of current research points to a lack of free programming and content devoted to the educational needs of these students. Currently available resources for individuals with more significant…

HTML provides a platform-independent way of creating and making multimedia presentations for classroom instruction and making that content available on the Internet. However, time in class is very valuable, so that any way to automate or otherwise assist the presenter in Web page navigation during class can save valuable seconds. This paper…

Museums have long been the repository of important cultural items. They make these items available to public view in exhibitions in specially designed architectural spaces, and more recently, in the virtual spaces provided on the World Wide Web and on CD-ROM. By making their collections accessible to the public in carefully crafted and coherent…

This paper presents "Campus," an environment that allows University of Hagen (Germany) students to connect briefly to the Internet but remain represented by personalized, autonomous agents that can fulfill a variety of information, communication, planning, and cooperation tasks. A brief survey is presented of existing mobile agent system…

When young people are provided with the means to effectively reach political decision makers and influence them, there is hope to make them participate in politics and to revitalize democracy. This paper presents the conceptual design of an Internet-based system intended to enable such participation; the presentation is illustrated with the case…