By the end of 1985, all secondary and almost all primary schools in the United Kingdom are expected to own one or more microcomputers. A critical examination of recent developments in these schools due to the introduction of the microcomputer is presented. (RM)

Discussion of the Home Computing policy at the United Kingdom's Open University focuses on the first year of a project that is seeking to provide: (1) an assessment scheme for students with disabilities using computers; (2) the provision of adapted hardware and software; and (3) the provision of suitable training and support. (12 support) (LRW)

Discusses human-computer interfaces in business settings and describes the concept of electronic paper (EP), a flat display board that is written on with a stylus, as an alternative to the traditional keyboard. Applications of EP are described; enabling technologies are explained; and commercial systems are described. (26 references) (LRW)

Describes two Computer Illustrated Texts (CITs) used to teach numerical methods. The integration of textbooks and microcomputers is discussed, three worksheets are included that contain exercises using the CITs, and results of a study of the effectiveness of using the CITs in a university course are presented. (three references) (LRW)

Telesoftware provides the transmission of computer programs from one computer to another by either broadcast radio or television via telephone lines and offers a national electronic system for the distribution of computer programs. Telephone based telesoftware can be based on any viewdata system or locally established telephone lines between…

This document provides information on the use of information technology (IT) to assist in educational management and administration, considers where future developments may lead, and provides definitions of IT and its elements--information handling, communications technology, and information transformation. The involvement of the Council for…

Outlines the courses offered by the Department of Library and Information Studies at Manchester Polytechnic, and describes the use of a database management system to teach aspects of information science. Details of a number of specific applications are given and future developments are discussed. (CLB)

Sociologists in the United Kingdom have neglected the emergence of information technology and the way it has taken on many of the characteristics of a new fashion. Conceptualizing technology is increasingly necessary if they are to make critical contributions to issues of educational policy and practice. (RM)

The convergence of computer technology with telecommunications may transform our concept of classroom and school. The PLUTO Network Project, which links several countries in Europe in a collaborative distance learning network, is described. Three phases in the growth of educational uses of computer technologies are outlined. (IAH)

This article notes trends in availability of microcomputer software appropriate for use with students with disabilities in the United Kingdom. Trends include increasing accessibility of general use software by those with special needs and elaboration of software developed for special needs to serve more general users. (DB)

Describes the design and development of inservice teacher education courses on application of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in art classrooms, and summarizes participating teachers' opinions on educational value of computer software and peripheral equipment for specific art applications to which they were introduced during the session. (MBR)

Describes a study of undergraduates at Aston University (United Kingdom) that investigated whether maps were an appropriate navigational aid for searching in a hypertext environment. Task performance, system use, previous computer experience, perceptions of the system, and cognitive map data are examined; and implications for hypertext system…

This overview of videotex covers three types of systems--teletext, viewdata, and cabletext. Teletext, which stores information as a series of pages which are broadcast along with television pictures for viewing on specially adapted television screens, is characterized as journalistic, and the offerings of three British systems--CEEFAX (BBC),…

Discusses the state of desktop publishing (DTP) in education today and describes the weaknesses of the systems available for use in the classroom. Highlights include document design and layout; text composition; graphics; word processing capabilities; a comparison of commercial and educational DTP packages; and skills required for DTP. (four…

The introduction of computers in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Manchester University is described. General background outlining the increasing need for microcomputers in the accounting curriculum (including financial modelling tools and decision support systems such as linear programming, statistical packages, and simulation) is…