In this article, the author states that school librarians can contribute to an atmosphere that supports intellectual freedom by drawing attention to the subtle messages about community values--messages that are communicated by virtue of what is included or excluded from curricular and co-curricular offerings. The author address issues with…

Digital learning environments are spaces in which data are shared, generated, and recorded. At the end of an online course, a rich collection of digital artifacts are left behind by the instructor and learners. Some artifacts are intentionally created learning materials and assignments, some are the products of class interaction in discussion…

The goals of the Fourth Annual Aspen Institute Roundtable on International Telecommunications were: to address procedural and substantive solutions for international coordination of Internet policy issues; to suggest different models for dispute resolution and policy coordination that might be employed in the various contexts of Internet usage;…

Discusses issues connected with the information superhighway and the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Topics addressed include principles for government action; economic benefits; regulations; applications; information policy; pending federal legislation; private sector/government relationship; open access and universal service; privacy…

Discusses information policy issues for electronic information resources, including the scholarly communication process and changes in the relationship between information, the producer, and the user; the right of access to information, including government information; privacy and democratic governance; and intellectual property or ownership of…

Discusses proceedings of the 1996 ASIS (American Society for Information Science) annual meeting in Baltimore (Maryland), including chaos theory; electronic universities; distance education; intellectual property, including information privacy on the Internet; the need for leadership in libraries and information centers; information warfare and…

Discusses computer ethics and the use of computer networks. Topics addressed include computer hackers; software piracy; computer viruses and worms; intentional and unintentional abuse; intellectual property rights versus freedom of thought; the role of information in a democratic society; individual privacy; legislation; social attitudes; and the…

Addresses questions of intellectual property rights when faculty, staff, or students at higher education institutions place material on the Internet, noting that educational institutions frequently lack the necessary permission or own rights for such online usage. Suggests that institutions audit materials before putting them online and develop…

Educational institutions are increasingly adopting "closed" learning environments that hide learning materials in password-protected areas. While this may be a logical solution to a range of problems, much is lost in this mode of course delivery. Although there are logical reasons for moving toward closed environments, we may be erring…

The use of information networks for business and government is expanding enormously. Government use of networks features prominently in plans to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive. But the transformation brought about by the networking also raises new concerns for the security and privacy of networked information. This…

This report is based on a November 1992 workshop and a February 1993 public forum which discussed some of the social issues raised by the emergence of electronic communities. The workshop examined user, provider, and other perspectives on different types of networked communities, including those on the Internet, commercial information services,…

This paper reviews the background and key terminology of the Internet, its current scope and use, and a selection of public policy issues. "Chapter 1: What Is the Internet?" includes an overview; capsule history; explanation of how the Internet works; basic terminology; and the kinds of information available on the Internet.…

Discusses issues relating to the public interest regarding the National Information Infrastructure. Topics addressed include access, including access to the physical infrastructure and resources and access as a service provider; information rights, including privacy, intellectual property, freedom of speech, and government information; public…

Considers selected policy instruments related to federal agencies' deployment of information in a Web environment in terms of five key policy areas: access, security, privacy, intellectual property, and records management. Suggests that there are a significant number of policy instruments affecting federal Web site development. Identifies the need…

Considers issues relating to the development of the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Highlights include higher education goals for NII; the government's role; preliminary organizational structure; the impact of the Internet; and major NII policy issues, including deregulation of telecommunications service providers, privacy issues, and…