Describes the development, current status, and possible future of NSFNET, which is a backbone network designed to connect five national supercomputer centers established by the National Science Foundation. The discussion covers the implications of this network for research and national networking needs. (CLB)

Two approaches to conflict resolution in the workplace are described. A systems approach questions the organization's systems rather than the behavior or motives of co-workers. Problem-solving retreats encourage team building and group cohesion and focus on long-term issues. (SK)

Addresses fundamental issues central to the systematic design of schooling that incorporate changing technology. Schooling models of the past and present are discussed, a technology-based paradigm for the future is described, and it is suggested that empirical research be used as the basis for developing a new model. (six references) (LRW)

As the world is changing, higher education program administrators must give up a linear way of thinking and search for another that fits a nonlinear, dynamic system. Leaders can learn much from the science of chaos studies about how dynamic human organizations function and the underlying principles of complex dynamic systems. (MSE)

Education is the only "business" in which the consumers (students) rather than the workers (teachers and administrators) do most of the work. For educational technology to fulfill its potential, we must change our views about work in schools. Technology must be used for the workers to improve connections and by the workers to enhance and extend…

The forms and strategies of institutional self-regulation used in Europe for program assessment and improvement are viewed as partial structures, not integrated systems designed to fully realize the potential of the self-regulatory system. A self-regulation program review model for use in ministerial or other centrally administered systems is…

Presents eight responses to an article in a previous issue by Mitchell, "The Future of Educational Technology Is Past." Highlights include the theory of educational technology, the future of the field of educational technology, cybernetics, educational psychology, systems theory, the role of teachers, control systems, computer assisted…

Presents reasons for choosing a connected computer system for student use in secondary schools. The systems approach is discussed; two alternatives are compared, a central computer and a local area network (LAN) of microcomputers; software is described; and two scenarios of LAN use are presented. (four references) (LRW)

Offers comments on articles in this special issue relating to critical theory, deconstruction, and postmodernism as they affect educational technology. Topics discussed include the modernist, positivist approach to educational technology; systems theory and instructional design; evaluating media for stereotypes; and mastery learning. (LRW)

In the Everett (Washington) School District, every practice must contribute to students reaching high standards. Everything is examined through the lens of student learning. The district's ground rules are to keep focused, plan strategically, develop an integrated work plan, create clear decision-making processes, think systemically, be…

Surveyed 45 Japanese corporations to determine common training methods and use of systematic design and development processes. Results indicate that overall there was more internal classroom training than on-the-job training and that only two of the companies had a formal, systematic approach to instruction design and development. (JMV)

An understanding of the following issues will help media professionals to analyze and guide planning for technology in libraries: (1) technological vision; (2) systems thinking; (3) job analysis; (4) budget; and (5) statistics. (Author/AEF)

Describes a comprehensive model of communication that incorporates four sets of relationships within a two-dimensional matrix: systems perspective (input, integration, output, feedback); rhetoric (purpose and method in objective and subjective perspectives); transactional process (simultaneous and multiple interactions among elements); and…

A model for an integrated systems approach to staff evaluation and staff development. (MLF)

Examines the concept of systemic change in education and reasons why it is needed in education today. Paradigm shifts in society and the relationship between society and education are considered; and features of an information-age educational system based on changes in the workplace and family are presented. (13 references) (MES)