Without a careful critique of commodification, globalization turns out to be nothing more than the new colonialism. A series of ordinary classroom events explores how treating the classroom as a gift economy alters the globalizing effect of the Internet from delivery of commodities to something that addresses children and opens up worlds for them.…

Uses a simple model of an information retrieval (IR) technology to examine performance measures for IR systems. Shows that, if a user is employing a system optimally, then reasonable performance measures will tend to be relatively robust, or insensitive, to small variations in assumptions about the user's behavior. (AEF)

Discusses the development of various technologies up through the Internet, and notes that the means have been confused with the ends. Argues that educators and users should first focus on the learning material's content and on performance design that delivers useful results, before selecting the means of delivery (the Internet). (AEF)

Describes the technologies driving the Information Revolution and the creation of the Information Society. Discusses possible social and economic implications of these technologies and some of the strategies being developed in the United Kingdom by the public sector at the local level to meet the challenges of the Information Age. (Author/AEF)

Reviews four key areas of funding development that can be enhanced through Internet use: communication, in particular E-mail; networking through listservs and mailing lists; research, using search engines such as Alta Vista; and promotion, through the creation of Web sites. (JDI)

Provides background and context for the issue of outsourcing. Illustrates the practice as it exists in libraries. Offers a model for analyzing outsourcing alternatives and a scenario for testing the model, and suggests alternate approaches for management. (Contains 52 references.) (AEF)

New communication and information technology is transforming the structure and law governing information markets and the economic, social, cultural, and political patterns of societies. This article discusses the effects of information technology (telecommuting, job growth in rural areas, distance education) and the role of the European Commission…

Investigates pupils' abilities to interpret graphical information using a comparative study involving data-logging, conventional practical work, and a nonpractical equivalent. Concludes that the computer-based approach seemed to be particularly effective for younger and less-abled pupils. (Author/ASK)

A delegate with the People to People Ambassador program describes her visit to Russia in 1997, focusing on facilities, collections, and services of the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, Fundamentals Library of St. Petersburg State Technical University and Open Library Systems Center, National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg), and Russian…

Provides an account of efforts made to impart education and training of information technology (IT) at six library schools in Pakistan. Presents a brief history of library education in the country, and describes the rationale of IT education for Pakistani librarians. Provides recommendations for improvement in IT training, discussing factors…

Examines the forces of cultural value and specificity in relation to information in the Arab world. Contends that information is integral and inseparable from the belief systems, political and cultural values, and ethical principles of any given society. Describes socio-political and economic factors. (AEF)

Discusses the need for technological literacy and describes its benefits. Offers applications for information technology in secondary agricultural education and preservice teacher education. (JOW)

Explains the development of a research perspective in pedagogy and information and communication technologies (ICT) in the context of visual education and the digital arts. Highlights include the Brighton Media Arts Project; media arts and ICT literacy; influences of culture, subject knowledge, and pedagogy; and teachers' perspectives and…

Describes a ten-year study of humanists that revealed the impact of temporal factors on their adoption of electronic information technology. Identifies four types of time that influenced humanists' behavior; discusses how electronic resources content affects whether a scholar adopts an electronic resource; and suggests how academic librarians can…

Discusses results of a survey developed to determine if school library media specialists perceive that they have been able to implement their roles as described in "Information Power" (1988 and 1998). Also investigates whether they perceive it is important to assume a leadership role in the use of instructional technology. (Author/LRW)