For the past two decades the central Information Retrieval Services of the Max Planck Society has been providing database searches for scientists in Max Planck Institutes and Research Groups throughout Germany. As a supplement to traditional search services offered by professional intermediaries, they have recently fostered the introduction of a…

The use of MOOs, multi-user simulated environments in education examined in three papers include: "MOOving around the Net: The Educational Potential of MOOs: A Point of View" (Daniel Ingvarson); "MOOing in a Foreign Language: How, Why and Who?" (Lonnie Turbee) and "MOOving around the Net: Real to Virtual and Back…

The textbook, entirely in French, is designed to help prepare anglophone students for French language usage in the media and telecommunications. It is organized according to two major themes. The first part addresses the French of advertising; chapter topics include the actors in advertising (agencies, announcers, supports), forms of advertising,…

Provides an overview of NetLinkS, a professional development project for networked learner support in United Kingdom higher education institutions. Topics include objectives; results of focus groups; current trends; library-based services, including user education and support for distance learners; and future plans. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes the methodology and results of a questionnaire survey of the use of microcomputers in university humanities departments in the United Kingdom. Highlights include faculty, staff, and student usage; applications of use; networking; opinions and perceptions on problems and benefits; mainframe computer services; and availability of computer…

Describes seminars developed at McGill University library to teach faculty, students, and staff about the Internet. Topics discussed include growth in use of the Internet and other developments that have placed new demands on libraries; course design and objectives; the need for hands-on training; and funding needs for training. (19 references)…

Provides an overview of current issues in the implementation and usage of computers in Latin American schools. Ten major trends are discussed, including national policies, training for teachers, computer literacy, software, hardware, curriculum implementation based on programing languages, private support, the absence of networks, publications,…

Discussion of the use of computer networks to create electronic communities highlights a research strategy that compared educational activities conducted across electronic networks to examine features of successful and unsuccessful electronic communities. Networks described include university researchers' networks; teacher networks; student…

Describes the implementation of a training course in computerized educational resource management provided for staff of Pedagogical Resource Centres in Catalonia (Spain). Training in telematics is explained, including documentary training and an ongoing process of permanent training assistance; the telematics infrastructure is discussed; and the…

Lists causes of social, political, and ethical barriers to access to information (i.e., disarticulations) and emphasizes their importance in developing countries. Examines the "informatization" of Korean society, and suggests policy guidelines for other developing countries adopting advanced information technology. (AEF)

Presents an account of a self-access language-teaching scheme operated at the University of Bologna (Italy) that was developed to teach English to university students by building a self-access environment available over a computer network. Discusses courseware, test generator, multimedia workstations, student use of laboratories, and future…

Reports on a study of the University of the West Indies Distance Teaching Experiment, which offers preservice teacher education via distance education using an interactive teleconference network. Surveys of participating teachers (n=169) indicated that the network had several of the desired infrastructures in place for conducting quality teacher…

Describes a pilot project incorporating extensive use of computers in mathematics instruction. Test scores and homework from this group were compared with a group that did not use computers. Results were inconclusive and only revealed a shortage of appropriate instructional software. (MJP)

EDUCAUSE Core Data Service Fiscal Year 2006 Summary Report summarizes much of the data collected through the 2006 EDUCAUSE core data survey about campus information technology (IT) environments at 933 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. The report presents aggregates of data through more than 100 tables and accompanying descriptive…

Lack of accessibility in the design of e-learning courses continues to hinder students with vision impairment. E-learning materials are predominantly vision-centric, incorporating images, animation, and interactive media, and as a result students with acute vision impairment do not have equal opportunity to gain tertiary qualifications or skills…