Provides an overview of library automation in Minnesota. Topics include regional public library systems; library automation vendors; multitype library systems; postsecondary and academic libraries; state government libraries; the Internet; telecommunications and statewide online system legislation and funding; and state library agency involvement…

Provides examples of automation and connectivity initiatives that involve libraries in Nebraska. Highlights include the role of state government; Nebraska Online, an Internet-based information service for electronic communication; a public library cooperative automation project; a college library consortium; a library listserv; and the Nebraska…

The Learning Methods Unit (LMU) at University of Central England (UCE) has adopted a curriculum-based approach to incorporating learning technology into professional development courses for university staff. The "Problems at Crumpton" web site described in this article uses technology to implement a problem-centered curriculum, enabling…

Presents encouraging empirical findings related to an attempt to create an efficient and reliable instrument to assess the nature and quality of critical discourse and thinking in a text-based educational context. Suggests that cognitive presence (critical, practical inquiry) can be created and supported in a computer-conference environment with…

Discusses MidLink Magazine, "the Digital Magazine for Kids, by Kids," that is supported by SAS in School, North Carolina State University, and the University of Central Florida. Describes what a typical MidLink Magazine article looks like, the MidLink Menu that features real working models of technology integration in every discipline, and teacher…

Describes the results of a survey at the University of California at Berkeley that investigated faculty and graduate student library use by academic disciplines. Results showed that all respondents consulted a narrower and older range of materials than expected and expressed a desire for simpler and more integrated computerized search systems.…

This paper outlines the main findings of research about online portfolio information systems. This research focused on the educational integrity of these educational systems and the maximisation of value across all stakeholders, in particular the value gained from the automation and interaction potential of the online environment. The findings and…

This paper presents an interactive educational environment for use over both "in situ" and distance-based modalities of teaching. Several technological issues relating to the design and development of the distributed virtual learning environment have also been raised. The PROVIDE framework proposed in this paper is a seamless distributed…

In 2005, Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) met its Adequate Yearly Progress targets under No Child Left Behind for the third year in a row. All but one of the district's 61 schools was rated "academically acceptable" or better, and more than one quarter achieved a ranking of "recognized" or…

Latest developments in information technology resulted in a revolution in library and information sciences. Acquiring electronic searching skills together with the availability of electronic resources will enable researchers to access a plethora of up-to-date information and will lead to productivity in research. This study tried to investigate…

This paper describes developments and uses of the Educational Technologies Center at Tennessee Technological University since its inception. The goal of the Educational Technologies Center is to generate interest and provide support for the use of technologies to support instruction. The Ed Tech Center is a separate entity from the computer…

The advertising section of the Proceedings contains the following 14 papers: "Advertising versus Product Publicity: The Effects on Credibility and Purchase Intent" (M. Catherine Chew and others); "Introducing Introductory Advertising Students to the World Wide Web" (Beth E. Barnes); "In Defense of Puffery" (John H.…

This paper describes a year-long project in a fifth grade classroom to investigate the recurring flooding of the Pecatonica River (Illinois) and its effects on plant and animal life. The project was funded by a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to involve elementary school classrooms with a consortium of museums in the…

This paper traces an educator's experiences with computers over a span of 20 years, and describes the computerization of and concomitant obstacles faced by the Humanities department at the American University in Cairo, Egypt (AUC). The computerization of AUC began in the 1980s, with workstations mainly in the science, math, engineering, and…

In the wake of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, discussions have raged both online and in the press about free speech, online pornography, and the protection of children. This paper discusses the legal and social science issues surrounding content regulation of the World Wide Web and the Internet as a whole, with an emphasis on the…