Entropy, a concept derived from thermodynamics and information theory, describes the amount of uncertainty and disorder within a system. Self-organizing systems engage in a continual dialogue with the environment and must adapt themselves to changing circumstances to keep internal entropy at a manageable level. We propose the entropy model of…

This study relies on information theory, social presence, and source credibility to uncover what best helps people grasp the urgency of an emergency. We surveyed a random sample of 1,318 organizational members who received multiple notifications about a large-scale emergency. We found that people who received 3 redundant messages coming through at…

Uninterrupted, high-bandwidth network connectivity is crucial for higher education. Colleges and universities increasingly adopt gigabit wireless solutions because of their fiber-equivalent performance, quick implementation, and significant return on investment. For just those reasons, Rush University Medical Center switched from free space optics…

The National Internet2 K20 Initiative brings together its world-class network and research community members with innovators from colleges and universities, primary and secondary schools, libraries, museums and other educational institutions, the full spectrum of America's education community, including both formal and informal education. The…

This paper looks at criteria on how education service providers' websites could benefit their potential students from overseas. Effective design of education website is important as web users are typically fastidious and want information fast--this serves as the background of this study. The study focuses on three selected education institutions'…

Applies prevailing conceptions of proper argument to Burke's advocacy of the comic frame. Concludes these common conceptions cannot explain the power of Burke's arguments. Examines Richard Rorty's "edifying discourse" and Burke's "perspective by incongruity" as they illuminate the purpose of Burke's argumentation method. (NH)

Reported is the result of research on combinatorial and algorithmic techniques for information processing. A method is discussed for obtaining minimum covers of specified cardinality from a given weighted graph. By the indicated method, it is shown that the family of minimum covers of varying cardinality is related to the minimum spanning tree of…

A brief account of the design and implementation of the first full-time one-year post-graduate course in science information work in Israel is presented. (Author/AB)

Focuses on the function of metaphor in argument. Compares the positions of Kenneth Burke and Paul Ricoeur on the function and evaluation of argument, concluding that Ricoeur's position supplements Burke's view of tropological argument. (NH)

Supports the typological approach to education lauded by Charles Sides (in an article in the same issue of this journal) but cautions educators to beware of imposing on others their own type biases. Calls for a commitment to take seriously the unconscious side of the "psychological type" problem. (NH)

This article is in response to Michael Burgoon's call in "Communication Education," October 1989, for the divorcing of speech education from the discipline of communication. It is argued that the lack of isomorphism between speech education and behavioral research in communication reflects a serious imbalance within the discipline, one…

This paper focuses on the pedagogical strategies that can be constructed from the technique of using questions in composition writing. Questions are classified into real, pedagogical, and rhetorical; the rhetorical intentions of real questions are examined; and the "possibility of negation" and three-stage rhetorical patterns…

Although widely used, the term "interpersonal communication" does not have a commonly accepted definition which distinguishes it from several other types of communication. This paper examines this lack of specificity, as reflected in basic textbook definitions of the term, with regard to three dimensions of the interpersonal process: materials and…

Explains how information theory can be applied to the study of oral interpretation in ways that help performers understand and use the channels available to them in sharing literature with listeners. (PD)

Business students, despite their regional differences, should understand the communication techniques most frequently used within the business environment, should be able to apply written communication skills, and should develop an awareness of communication theory. (KS)