In creating and maintaining public safety, risks which entail some amount of danger are necessary. These risks must be rated regarding the amount of benefit and danger they would bring in order to ascertain the worthiness of the risk. It is important to realize that risks can often bring greater safety, that many safety devices themselves involve…

The computational problem-solving mode of thought that has become widespread since the computer revolution has two aspects. The first aspect is the organization of one's view of the world into "context-free" terms and uniform relations between these terms. The relations that are to hold among these terms are taken to be standardized, and…

Differences in training in developing countries can be traced to the experiences of colonization, industrialization, and advancing technology. Since decolonization after World War II, developing countries have had to cope with depleted primary resources and unprecedented and unexpectedly rapid industrialization. Industrialization has taken the…

Summarizes issues raised at the OCLC Conference on the Future of the Public Library, focusing on anticipated trends in technology and the library role. Areas discussed include the use of appropriate technologies, governance, demands for reference services, user fees, and the need for strong library leadership. (CLB)

A study examined the perceptions of newspaper editors as to how useful video cameras are in the newsroom. The original hypothesis was that reaction to introducing video cameras for newsroom use would meet with negative reaction. Subjects, 32 editors from Texas newspapers of over 10,000 circulation, were surveyed by mail. Results indicated an…

Virtual Reality (VR) is a new medium which allows total stimulation of one's senses through human/computer interfaces. VR has applications in training simulators, nano-science, medicine, entertainment, electronic technology, and manufacturing. This paper focuses on some current and potential problems of virtual reality and virtual environments…

Describes the nature of technology. Summarizes the claims of the anti-technologists, such as Marcuse and Ellul, and the moderate pro-technologists, such as Ferkiss, Mesthene, Brooks and Bowers, National Academy of Engineering, Norman, and Weizenbaum. Provides 79 references. (YP)

This keynote address discusses far-reaching effects of technology on the education of young children. The speech contains a brief description of the course technological advancements have taken, the way technology has been integrated into daily life, and prevalent education-related uses of the Internet. New technologies are important for early…

Claims that what is needed is not simply powerful and elegant technology but appropriate technology. Discusses the impact of tacit knowledge and scientism. Recommends the propagation and implementation of the ideal of an organic society, and the return to the ideal of liberal and moral education. (YP)

Changes in society and work have led to reconsideration of the role schools should play in preparing students to become technologically literate. Technological literacy is part of cultural literacy. Technologically literate people have common sense knowledge of technology, understanding how technology evolves to satisfy human needs. The role of…

Noting that technological developments will influence both library automation decisions and user expectations, this paper focuses on six issues involved in planning for the use of information technology in libraries: (1) perceiving the information technology needs of library users; (2) addressing their information technology needs; (3) planning to…

The problem with developing technology in the South Pacific is similar to that of most developing countries. The size of these island nations and the market alternatives compound the problem in the South Pacific. Although there have been some piecemeal efforts in the South Pacific to develop technology, none has made more than a limited impact. In…

Technology education should be part of the general education of all students for the following reasons: (1) technological literacy is important in preparing people for life and work; (2) technological literacy must be based on sensory as well as language-based learning; and (3) technology is unique in the school curriculum. The content of…

The flexibility of the Convention as the organizing instrument of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has allowed evolutionary changes in the composition of the organization (originally established in 1865) and has enabled it to modify its agenda so as to integrate the new demands of the Third World constituency for development…

A discussion of the role of technology in teaching and learning in higher education focuses on obstacles to the successful infusion of information technologies in the classroom. It comes at a time when colleges and universities are poised for a giant leap forward into a variety of new technologies, a situation brought on by increasing societal…