Describes a survey of microcomputer use for adults with learning disability within The Home Farm Trust, a United Kingdom national organization for people with learning disability that was carried out in light of a planned organization-wide initiative to introduce modern information and communications technology to service users. (Author/LRW)

States that although many organizations offer training courses, they also rely on educational institutions to provide training and proper credentials. Discusses the recent demand for skills in information technology (IT) and how it has generated a wide range of courses offered by community colleges. Addresses how competency in IT is assessed, and…

Discusses the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in homes and its impact on teachers in schools, based partly on case studies of British secondary schools. Topics include home learning environments; the National Curriculum for England and Wales; and initial teacher training curriculum for ICT. (LRW)

Examines library automation product introductions and conversions to new operating systems. Compares user satisfaction ratings of the following library software packages: DOS/Windows, UNIX, Macintosh, and DEC VAX/VMS. Software is rated according to documentation, service/support, training, product reliability, product capabilities, ease of use,…

Discussion of disparities between developed and developing nations and the influence of information technology focuses on the newly industrializing countries of South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan and their development of the information sectors as strategic industries to gain international competitiveness. Topics include information activities,…

Describes an initiative at Duke University (North Carolina) to develop a recognition and rewards strategy to improve the institution's ability to recruit and retain information technology staff. Details the design phase of the six job bands, guiding principles, development of a budget-neutral recognition strategy, system design, the implementation…

Lists information storage and retrieval devices as a representation of improvements and changes throughout the past several millennia. Examines characteristics of past and present devices and identifies those characteristics that are important for carrying into the future. Discusses implications for information centers striving to provide…

Describes a study of the effectiveness of introducing information and communications technology into the teaching of biology. The teacher of this college course conducted the research, administering questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The teacher's reflections on this educational research are presented. (SM)

An administrator from an elite research university describes his move to an online educational enterprise, which he considers the latest in a history of educational innovations over the past 20 years. Describes higher education as an agent of social change, as a purveyor of knowledge, and as an engine of growth and development, discussing the next…

Argues that the competence demands of the future school manager in a decentralized system of local management of schools imply proficiency of the manager in the use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology). Discusses communication habits, information processing, networking, the promotion of shared values, and leadership development.…

Recently, Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, used the World Wide Web to combat student apathy and encourage students to participate in elections. This article explains: the pros and cons of online voting; planning for online elections; preparing the ballots; specific techniques for conducting online elections; HTML forms and common gateway interface…

Discusses the professional development of librarians and information professionals and considers the future direction it should take. Topics include the forces of capitalism, the growth in information and communication technology, and the changing demands and needs of users (or customers). (LRW)

Managers need to understand the tradeoffs associated with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks as compared to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This article measures the preference structures between IP telephony and PSTN services using conjoint analysis. The purpose is to suggest VoIP technology attributes that best meet…

Presents a case study about men and women on applied information technology courses using data from in-depth interviews. Finds that men and women were aware of gender in computing practice. Both sexes expressed intrinsic, as well as instrumental reasons, for studying and women were confident in their abilities. (CMK)

Developed Web-based exercises designed to promote interaction in a distance education environment to test the hypothesis that instructional technology offers opportunities to promote mutual aid among students. A student survey uncovered various issues in the application of mutual aid in a distance education course. (EV)