Discusses types of sound-production equipment used for realization of interactive audio within computer assisted instruction (CAI) environments (speech synthesis systems, and speech/sound-recording, retrieval, and playback equipment); describes several authoring systems in which sound processing plays a predominant role; and presents an overview…

Summarizes the growth of databases, including major milestones, issues, and trends of the past 20 years, during which time the database/online industry had become a large and thriving segment of the information industry. A time line overview of database developments from 1951 to 1985 is appended. (42 references) (EJS)

This four-article section focuses on information storage capacity of the optical disk covering the information workstation (uses microcomputer, optical disk, compact disc to provide reference information, information content, work product support); use of laser videodisc technology for dissemination of agricultural information; encoding databases…

Discusses typical uses of databases and data management programs in the classroom; provides a learning plan to teach students how to use databases; lists typical student projects using databases; and presents criteria to help educators choose appropriate database management programs for their classrooms. (MBR)

Zipfian laws for frequency distributions of word pairs and longer phrases are derived from text sample analysis. From crossing of Zipfian curves, it is deduced that number of multi-word phrases that occur frequently in text is surprisingly small, of same order of magnitude as number of individual word-types. (8 references) (EJS)

This article reports on portion of Non-Print Project in which still image disks from Prints and Photographs division are being linked to microcomputer database with results that hold promise for preservation, access, collections management, and security. Bibliographies on videodiscs (6 items) and cataloging of graphic materials (10 items) are…

Reports on the state of currently available digital storage and retrieval systems and describes in detail one-sided optical videodisc LaserData and the Mnemos system, which stores graphic images on microfiche discs. Video Patsearch, Matrox, Philips Megadoc, DEMAND, and Digital Recording Corporation's optical digital records and future videodisc…

This overview of an experimental automated circulation system at Ibadan University (Nigeria) includes a discussion of system hardware, software, program structure, file structure, and system functions (charges, discharges, renews, overdues, fines, reservations, recalls, and assisted query). Statistics on manual and automated systems related to…

Outlines procedures and policies carried out by Simon Fraser University (SFU) in the microform conversion program initiated due to imminent space problems. Discussion covers background, space situation at SFU (seating, shelving), financial support for program, involvement of University Microfilms International and a book dealer, and conclusions.…

Analyzes structure of, and data in, the OCLC-MARC record in the form delivered via OCLC's Tape Subscription Service, and outlines important processing functions involved: "unreadable tapes," duplicate records and deduping, match processing, choice processing, locations processing, "automatic" and "input" stamps,…

Dual Coding Theory has quite specific predictions about how information in different media is stored, manipulated and recalled. Different combinations of media are expected to have significant effects upon the recall and retention of information. This obviously may have important consequences in the design of computer-based programs. The paper…

This paper reports on the ongoing development of PERSIVAL (Personalized Retrieval and Summarization of Image, Video, and Language), a system designed to provide personalized access to a distributed digital library of medical literature and consumer health information. The goal for PERSIVAL is to tailor search, presentation, and summarization of…

Presents responses to some commonly-asked questions about the development of "Computer Cat," a microcomputer-based online catalog system in a Colorado elementary school learning resources center. Computer knowledge required to implement such a system, hardware selection, hardware requirements, student use of the system, and educational…

Describes the general data management and file processing system created by the Open University to assist the tutor-counsellors in their support of students. The differences between the tutorial and the counselling functions are discussed, details are given of the type of information stored on disc. (EAO)

Reviews hardware (microfilm, videodiscs, computers) which can process and retrieve large amounts of educational information. Identifies ways in which computer-based techniques can be used for course management, direct learning, and research. (Author/DC)