Describes an undergraduate course, "An Interdisciplinary Approach to American Social History." For projects, students analyze census returns by means of computer and present papers to other students and faculty. (KC)

The EDUCOM Financial Planning Model (EFPM) is a computer-based financial model-building system which can also accommodate such nonfinancial applications as faculty tenure and student flow models. This article focuses on the uses of EFPM at three representative institutions: Carnegie-Mellon, Oberlin, and Purdue. (CMV)

Thirteen trends in university computer system development are identified, system user requirements are analyzed, critical system qualities are outlined, and three options for organizing a computer system are presented. The three systems include a centralized network, local network, and federation of local networks. (MSE)

A description of the campuswide computer system at Aston University (England) includes a profile of the institution, the information technology strategy adopted, a current local networking project, information technology development priorities for the near future, the role of the library and information service, and management and organizational…

The complexity of Seattle University's decision to replace three separate computerized student information systems with one integrated system was managed with a multicriteria method for evaluating alternatives. The method both managed a large amount of information and reduced people's resistance to change. (MSE)

Increasingly, college and graduate students are designing sophisticated multimedia projects for classes in diverse subject areas. Some students resist the trend, but many respond well to the new challenges, are excited about the new possibilities, and appreciate the potential job skills they acquire. (MSE)

The Job Complex, a forum on career- and job-related concerns, was designed to allow for communication among clients and counselors. Although limitations in online communication do exist, the positives to cyber counseling include efficacy of the counseling approach; increased focus; elimination of prejudicial reactions; broadening perspectives;…

Defines virtual reality and explains terminology, theoretical concepts, and enabling technologies. Research and applications are described; limitations of current technology are considered; and future possibilities are discussed, including the use of virtual reality in training for cross-cultural communication. (22 references) (LRW)

A theoretical description of hypertext is presented, and three applications of hypertext are discussed: electronic studying allows linkage of electronic note cards for writing and interrelating concepts; literary exploration allows construction and interpretation of stories with provided literary elements; in qualitative research, hypertext helps…

An analysis of the state of medical informatics, the application of computer and information technology to biomedicine, looks at trends and concerns, including integration of traditionally distinct enterprises (clinical information systems, financial information, scholarly support activities, infrastructures); informatics career choice and…

Scientific and technological advances affecting dental education in the near future are examined, including the growing role of saliva in diagnosis, direct imaging methods, biomaterials research, computer-aided design and manufacturing, molecular biology, and new restorative dentistry. It is argued that dentistry should be a fully recognized…

A discussion of life-cycle costing for information technology at larger colleges and universities is designed to help both central and departmental administrators and other planners make critical decisions regarding resource allocation. Focus is on basic issues in life-cycle budgeting for departmental technology, and provides a sample worksheet…

The importance of communication between college advancement professionals and fund raisers is emphasized, and some techniques are offered for resolving specific communication issues, including time constraints during travel, timely filing of reports, resistance to computers, completeness of information recorded, resistance to information sharing,…

Studied a program initiated by a university day-care center designed to increase parent involvement in the following areas: (1) support activities for parents and children; (2) educational activities for parents and children; and (3) leadership activities for parents. Results indicated that support activities helped parents to feel more…

This paper describes preliminary development of a microcomputer system to facilitate extended conversation on a broad topic for people of normal intelligence who are physically disabled and lack speech. The paper concludes that, with prestorage and preorganization of potential speech acts, satisfactory computer-assisted, real-time conversations…