Discusses the issues influencing the design, implementation, and promotion of the Towers Perrin in-house text retrieval system. The discussion of factors influencing system design includes the organizational culture, the existing computer and communications network, and the availability of text retrieval software. Suggestions for in-house systems…

Illustrated is the importance of several sociological concepts in understanding families of young children with disabilities. These concepts include the social system, cultural and subcultural values, status and role, definition of the situation and role-taking ability, presentation of self, and social process. (Author/JDD)

Describes the evolution of the scholarly communication system to its current stage, with special attention paid to the fundamental principles that drive the system. The influences of relevant principles of and advances in librarianship on the structuring and restructuring of the system are demonstrated. (nine references) (CLB)

Presents a conceptual framework for comparing instructional design models and employing appropriate design applications. Highlights include the classification system on which the framework is centered and how the framework allows for the models' instructional context and the size of the audience. (27 references) (KRN)

The growing interest in effective parent involvement has produced several ways to classify or describe ways parents are or should be involved. This article reviews and evaluates Ira Gordon's systems approach, the California-based System Development Corporation's categories, Eugenia H. Berger's parental role categories, Chavkin and Williams' parent…

The issue of educational reform and the role of the teacher in the reform process is discussed, using whole language as an example. It is argued that whole-language teachers must develop a theoretical framework that not only informs their views but also provides an understanding of systems and systems change. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/LB)

Establishes the connection between educational technology and distance education, instructional design, and delivery. Concludes that, although technology has had minimal influence in traditional classrooms, it is inextricably from distance education. (SK)

Argues for the compatibility of various elements of cognitive therapy and systems therapy. These compatible elements can be combined so as to enhance the effectiveness and outcome of a counseling session. Focuses on how mental health counselors can operate from a cognitive-systems approach when working with clients. (RJM)

The process used to engineer and manage major organizational change at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is described. Issues include defining change, gaining support, organizing to facilitate change, staff development, establishing project strategies, and measuring success. The role of the institution's information…

Discusses situated learning in the workplace and in the classroom. Topics addressed include operationalization versus legitimization of educational theories; instruction versus learning; explicit versus implicit instruction and knowledge; individual versus social context; systems narrowly construed versus systems broadly construed; and legitimate…

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

The environment most characterizing today's public schools is continuous change, spurred by increased demands for performance and accountability. However, discontinuous change, in which organizations must question basic operating assumptions, is imminent. Continuous learning must be built into an organizations' fabric and it needs acceptable…

Continues discussion of a distance-education systems model (presented in previous issues). Examines societal systems, the next level of this hierarchical model. Discusses responding to social needs, social and economic change in the 1990s, and distance and higher education in the 1990s. Provides samples of newspaper articles, one of the main…

Examines three factors contributing to organizational success: use of a systemic model to design and guide the change effort; analysis of interdependencies within the system and of the change potential; and use of communication methods to help ensure that the change will be supported. Presents characteristics of successful change efforts with…

Discusses Harmonium Inc., a community-based agency that counsels adolescents who are at moderate to high risk of developmental defeat because their behavior either threatens their health or jeopardizes their future. It is designed to assist these adolescents using a collaborative, strength-based counseling model built in the integrative capacity…