Describes the British Library's strategic planning preparation for probable changes in the information environment up to the year 2000 caused by technological, economic, social, and other factors. Highlights include library services; improving its user orientation; information systems strategy; digital collections; catalog access; gateway…

Highlights lessons learned by a national organization, the Council of Chief State School Officers, in building an education indicator system in cooperation with federal and state education agencies. Issues emphasized are (1) the role of consensus; (2) production of indicators through a cooperative data system; and (3) reporting methods. (SLD)

The experience of Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) in developing a campuswide information system to enhance the computing culture is discussed, focusing on four elements: the philosophy of computing as a public utility; investment in physical network infrastructure; standardization of workstations; and development of content-neutral network…

Describes a computer-based adaptation of a case management model, Computer-Assisted Risk Accountability System (CARAS), which provides an on-site, desktop evaluation tool for school-based case management teams to manage their cases efficiently. Discusses the user-friendliness of the CARAS software; how school programs benefit from CARAS; and CARAS…

Argues that there is a fundamental gap between the knowledge that the information systems development community values and that which cultural analysis yields. Suggests that developers, rather than trying to explain social behavior and knowledge with rules, should be concerned with the production of contesting rules and what the production tells…

Four articles respond to the Bader and Nyce position that it is unlikely cultural analysis will become a routine tool for information systems developers with these arguments: ethnographic work can aid software development; the problem lies with inappropriate application of social science methods; the problem is technique, not fundamentals; and…

Defines the six key pressures that have given rise to the emerging enterprise academic-computing imperative. These include the pressure to (1) improve instructional quality; (2) unify disparate academic-computing resources; (3) demonstrate return on network investment; (4) reach more students; (5) lower costs in delivery of instruction; and (6)…

AIMS, the Assessment and Instructional Management System is a computer-based rating and documentation system designed to include students with disabilities in educational accountability systems. Describes AIMS, illustrates some of the components of the system, and highlights teacher training efforts. Two tables present the AIMS rating rubric and…

Presents data management issues faced during the design and development of an open distance learning (ODL) system for the University of Patras, Greece. Outlines the architecture, design, and services of a network-based information system that supports ODL activities. The Web-based open and distance learning information system offers synchronous…

Provides an overview of the basic components of a digital library. Highlights include library collections; metadata; services, including information seeking and retrieval, reference query fulfillment, and user training; user interaction with digital libraries, including searching, browsing, and navigation; economic support; maintenance;…

Discusses information technology initiatives in New Mexico that involve: a consortium of agencies, businesses, universities, and government offices; dial-up Internet access; access to government information; state educational technology plans; wiring institutions of higher education; two state networks; and tribal initiatives to improve…

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…

Although research indicates communication is important among information systems (IS) staff, users, and managers to ensure successful development projects, the ineffective communication skills of IS staff are often cited as a possible cause of failed IS projects. To develop effective systems, communication between IS users and systems developers…

Stories are the most natural form of communication and learning among humans. In this paper, we describe how we have designed and implemented an case library of technology integration stories to support pre-service and in-service teachers learning how to integrate technologies into their teaching. The case library was built using the artificial…

This paper examines the impact the use of the Java programming language has had on the way our students learn to program and the success they achieve. The importance of a properly constructed first course in programming cannot be overstated. A course well experienced will leave students with good programming habits, the ability to learn on their…