The computer marking of short-answer free-text responses of around a sentence in length has been found to be at least as good as that of six human markers. The marking accuracy of three separate computerised systems has been compared, one system (Intelligent Assessment Technologies FreeText Author) is based on computational linguistics whilst two…

This article compares three self-developed subject guides and one commercial online subject guide (LibGuides) to provide information to other institutions which have a plan or are in the process of developing a plan to implement similar services to support online, distance and traditional education. This is a comparison of the current subject…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the problems and issues faced by online library catalogues. It aims to establish how libraries have undertaken the mission of developing the next generation catalogues and how they compare to new tools such as Amazon. Design/methodology/approach: An expert study was carried out in January…

This article explores how Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) manages knowledge retrieval by employees when they need to access documents written by colleagues in geographically distant units. CSC's establishment of virtual communities of practice facilitates the coordination of knowledge, and minimises contextual gaps between senders and…

Developments in communication and information technologies in the last decade have had a significant impact on instructional and learning activities. For many students and educators, the Internet became the significant medium for sharing instruction, learning and communication. Access to knowledge beyond boundaries and cultures has an impact on…

This book is an introduction to the practical and theoretical concepts of information science. The author draws on recent research into the field of information science, as well as from scholarly and trade publications, and includes articles by Harold Borko, Klause Otten, and Anthony DeBons to emphasize the long-standing dissension in the field.…

Describes wearable computers, or information and communication technology devices that are designed to be mobile. Discusses how such technologies can enhance computer-mediated communications, focusing on collaborative working for learning. Describes an experimental system, MetaPark, which explores communications, data retrieval and recording, and…

Examines mobile agent coordination and presents TuCSoN, a coordination model for Internet applications based on mobile information agents that uses a tuple centre, a tuple space enhanced with the capability of programming its behavior in response to communication events. Discusses the effectiveness of the TuCSoN model in the contexts of Internet…

Knowledge of electronic media includes recognizing different needs for information, understanding and using different measures of value, and understanding ethical issues. Skills relate to retrieving, managing, organizing, using, preserving, and communicating information. These complex abilities are explored, earlier work is described, and…

Describes the growth and accomplishments of Digital Libraries Initiative Phase 2 (DLI-2), lists performer and abstract information for Fiscal Year 1999 awards; progress in reference linking for journal articles with model; presents a Geospatial Knowledge Representation System (GKRS) prototype that integrates multiple knowledge sources to support…

This paper presents the results of an empirical survey conducted in the winter of 1995-96 among 413 Danish Internet users (business people, higher education/research and students). Data from a recent Danish Mediacenter Internet survey (n=2981) are also included. Findings indicate that women tend to use the Internet to solve well-defined problems,…

The Moscow University Chair of Scientific Information developed a program aimed at educating high school and university students about information science, including searching, retrieval, and information technology. Teaching has highlighted informatics, scientific information and communication, and information management. Such programs in Russia…

Suggests that three new developments are having a major impact on educational practice: (1) the emergence of new artifacts, replacing traditional books; (2) the growing ease of different kinds of information gathering, mainly keyword searches of the World Wide Web and citation indexes; and (3) software developments that ease text-based group…

The theme of the 2001 "ASIST" (American Society for Information Science and Technology) annual conference is "Information in a Networked World," which covers a broad range of theory and practice in information science. The program includes 52 refereed papers, 46 SIG and panel sessions, and 33 poster presentations. Topics include: digital…

The installation of technology in the school library is only the first step in its effective use by students. Many search engines are not intuitively obvious to users, and students often need help with searching. Systematic formal instruction in electronic search skills is necessary for awareness of library software and competence in its use. The…