Driven by studies showing that Millennials (ages 18-24) have adopted IM (instant messaging) as a standard communications medium, many libraries are reaching out to their own patrons in this way. At the same time, some of these libraries have invested thousands of dollars in vendor-based chat reference solutions that provide duplicate…

Future Directions in Distance Learning and Communication Technologies presents theoretical studies and practical solutions for engineers, educational professionals, and graduate students in the research areas of e-learning, distance education, and instructional design. This book provides readers with cutting-edge solutions and research directions…

During the last few years, the development of seamless education systems to promote students' postsecondary success has been discussed by policymakers at the local, state and federal levels as well as reform-minded individuals. Florida, Washington, Iowa, Georgia and California either have statewide integrated systems or are moving quickly toward…

This book contains 11 papers examining career planning and job searching in the information age. The following papers are included: "The Librarian's Role in the Job Search of the Future: Issues and Ethics in the Electronic Environment" (Elizabeth A. Lorenzen); "The Internet as Career, Job, and Employment Resource: Transition, Assimilation,…

During the past year, in cases involving the authority of school boards to make curricular decisions and provide for services, the courts have balanced school board authority against constitutional and statutory provisions related to privacy, free exercise of religion, and public records laws. Section 1, "School Boards and Board Members," outlines…

Confidentiality issues in cooperative relationships between schools and agencies providing services to children and families with special needs are examined. Introductory sections consider the need to share information and the nature of confidentiality restrictions. A section on overall information sharing considers: when to address the…

The teacher's guide and a students' guide focus on basic constitutional issues dealing with the media and free press. Students examine case studies, tabloid headlines, and various policy issues relating to information dissemination in society. The guide provides recommended lesson sequences incorporating readings, directed discussions, and…

A study was conducted to apply and test a model of privacy regulation and disclosure of risky, private information such as sexual abuse. Eight sexually abused children and adolescents, each of whom had initiated disclosure, were interviewed about the disclosure process. A two-part interview was constructed based on the findings in the literature…

Developed to aid intermediate-level teachers and principals in initiating and developing computer literacy programs for their students, this document is a guide for the development of a one-semester course--Introduction to Computing--for the seventh and eighth grades. The course is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop computer…

Employee privacy rights are considered, along with practical problems and permissible parameters of employer activity. Included is a state-by-state analysis of the status of workplace privacy. Definitions are offered of "invasion of privacy," with attention to four types of privacy invasions: (1) placing someone in a "false light," (2) the public…

Computer technology has made it possible for employers to collect and analyze management information about employees' work performance and equipment use. There are three main tools for supervising office activities. Computer-based (electronic) monitoring systems automatically record statistics about the work of employees using computer or…

Cites court cases where school boards presented evidence that a teacher's lifestyle or conduct provided grounds for dismissal. (HOD)

This paper reviews 10 years of debate in Europe on commercial rights of access to government information, starting with the United Kingdom's innovative Government Tradable Information Guidelines of 1996 and ending with the European Commission's Draft Green Paper on Rights of Access in 1996. United States market development and commercial rights of…

The Communication Theory and Methodology section of the Proceedings contains the following 17 papers: "Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Attention and Memory for Deviant and Imagistic Headlines" (Jennifer Borse and others); "Refining a Uses and Gratification Scale for Television Viewing" (Jennifer Greer, Cyndi Frisby, and David…

Because of mounting budget pressures, a new business model is emerging that offers schools "free" technology supported by online advertising programs and the gathering of market data about students. Proponents argue these corporate associations benefit schools with dwindling resources. Opponents argue they are contrary to obligations to…