The advantages of microcomputer networks include resource sharing, multiple user communications, and integrating data processing and office automation. This article nonetheless favors stand-alone computers for Australian secondary school classrooms because of unreliable hardware, software design, and copyright problems, and individual progress…

Compares "computer based learning" in Europe with "computer assisted instruction" in the United States, noting that, in spite of the connotations of the names, the teacher is the primary beneficiary of software in Europe while the student is the primary beneficiary of software in the U.S. (HTH)

This article describes a participative, action evaluation process that led to a decision in 2003 to change the online learning management system (LMS) software at Central Queensland University in Australia. The evaluation process was initiated, planned and conducted collaboratively by four distinct groups of staff who had been involved in…

As yet, there are no specialists in the application of information technology to education and training. However, this is one of the fastest growing areas on the Internet due to the recent perception of the enormous potential for the use of Web resources for this purpose. This has attracted the attention of researchers in industry and the academic…

Includes five articles that discuss digital library programs related to the National Science Foundation; software for building Web portals; metadata developed at Tsinghua University Library (China) for preserving digital resources; the Open Archives Initiative for metadata and the need for a common infrastructure; and interactivity in a digital…

Discusses methodological issues of mathematical microworld development integrated with generating innovation in school settings. Includes experiences in developing a component architecture for educational software based on Logo as a scripting language and discusses problems of collaboration between organizations and people of differing expertise…

Describes the use of a pitch visualization software in a pronunciation course in French as a second language. Outlines the software's characteristics and explains the methodological and pedagogical framework of the experiment. (Author/VWL)

Presents an overview of the development of an electronic interactive multimedia guide to the Museum of Dion (Greece) that provides information about archaeological exhibits. Collection and processing of raw materials is described, including text, photography, and digitalization; and the selection of Macintosh hardware and HyperCard software is…

Discussion of software tools for accessing information on the Internet focuses on the WorldWideWeb (WWW) system, which was developed at the European Particle Physics Laboratory (CERN) in Switzerland to build a worldwide network of hypertext links using available networking technology. Its potential for use with multimedia documents is also…

Compares the development of copyright in the United Kingdom and the United States in relation to writing, literary works and other forms of intellectual property, and computer programs to show how writing is a unifying principle for documents and computers. (68 references) (EAM)

A joint project involved students in the United States and Europe in cooperative design of computer software. The Internet-based project encountered some difficulties in scheduling, time difference, and lack of agreement on a programming language; however, the international cooperation was valued by participants. (SK)

Describes development of the Courseware Engineering Methodology (CEM), created to guide novices in designing effective courseware. Discusses CEM's four models: pedagogical (concerned with the courseware's pedagogical aspects), conceptual (dealing with software engineering), interface (relating to human-computer interaction), and hypermedia…

Explores economic aspects of a resource discovery network (RDN) in the United Kingdom consisting of a center and eight sub-based hubs using Ithink Analyst, a modeling software package. Results suggest that with a combination of sponsorship and subscription income a RDN could succeed without grant funding within 10 years of its launch. (Author/LRW)

Disputes claims in recent report by US-based Alliance for Children that the use of computers by children threatens their creative and intellectual development. Describes two case studies of the creative uses of computers in United Kingdom elementary school classrooms. (Contains 17 references.) (PKP)

What child hasn't chatted with friends through a computer? But chatting with a computer? Some Danish scientists have literally put a face on their latest software program, bringing to virtual life storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, who engages users in actual conversations. The digitized Andersen resides at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in…