Cloud computing is increasingly popular in education. Cloud computing is "the delivery of computer services from vast warehouses of shared machines that enables companies and individuals to cut costs by handing over the running of their email, customer databases or accounting software to someone else, and then accessing it over the internet."…

This paper reviews the research on the disruptive and transformative potential of newly-emerging cloud-based pedagogies. It takes into consideration the extent to which Cloud Computing can be leveraged to disseminate and scale web-based applications within and across learning contexts. It examines ideas from current literature in Web 2.0- and…

Expert operative information is a prerequisite for any form of surgical training. However, the shortening of working hours has reduced surgical training time and learning opportunities. As a potential solution to this problem, multimedia programs have been designed to provide computer-based assistance to surgical trainees outside of the operating…

Discussion of CD-ROM and DVD (Digital Video Disk)-ROM covers CD-ROM software pricing and industry changes; CD-ROM drives; CD-recordable formats; DVD formats, hardware, and software; recordable DVD; and future issues, including standards, Windows 98, the DVD market, and compatibility. A sidebar lists Web sites with information on CD-ROM and…

Discusses electronic-document preservation and argues that digital tablets, storing both the documents and the software to use them, should be developed as a more permanent alternative to migration, currently the primary preservation strategy. Discusses technology that could be used to produce a digital tablet, lists life expectancy of digital…

Describes the National Agricultural Library's microcomputer-based expert system, which is designed to help users obtain answers to simple reference questions. Building of the system and its linking to external programs and systems are explained, and building of a total information system is proposed. Samples of the program are provided. (CDD)

Discusses factors that should be considered by buyers and producers of databases on CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory). The advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM are also discussed and compared with those of magnetic and print media, and market projections are provided. (CLB)

Discusses the feasibility of individual television film libraries combining film holdings onto optical disks and developing networks that would allow online searching of, access to, and transmission of video images. It is concluded that recent advances in technology would support fast and cost effective image retrieval with no loss in video…

Describes the possibilities and problems that computer-generated portfolios will soon present to instructors across America. Highlights include the history of portfolio assessment, logistical problems of handling portfolios in the traditional three-ring binder format, use of the zip drive for storage, and software/hardware compatibility problems.…