Increasingly, colleges are using new technologies, often expensive, to improve fund-raising capacity among small-scale donors. Techniques include computerized screening of prospective donors based on personal information, automatic dialing and phone-bank worker training, and sophisticated direct-mail tactics. Concern about privacy and loss of the…

Microcomputers were introduced into a child protection agency to improve the work environment and increase productivity. The problems and benefits of computer-based changes are reviewed, and specific software applications and organizational implications are discussed. (Author/LB)

Virtual reality is a three-dimensional, participatory, multisensory, computer-based simulated environment occurring in real time. Applied to instruction, it has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning processes. Dialogue must begin for development of a national agenda to link this technology with higher education, addressing…

Carnegie Mellon University's decision to standardize its administrative system development efforts on relational database technology and structured query language is discussed and its impact is examined in one of its larger, more widely used applications, the university information system. Advantages, new responsibilities, and challenges of the…

Directors (n=469) participating in the National Resident Matching Program and responding to a survey felt the selection process distorted the senior year for medical students. They supported development of a centralized residency application service with electronic transmission of data. (DB)

At Boston College (Massachusetts), chemistry faculty are incorporating advanced technology into the classroom to motivate students to further study. A new $31 million chemistry center allows computer-based simulated experiments, computer-assisted instruction, and advanced graphics for visualization. Despite use of incentives, some student…

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo is exploring several cost-effective technological solutions to improve learning productivity, reduce labor intensity, and provide new ways to deliver education and better services to students while enhancing quality of instruction. Strategic planning and partnerships have been key…

Discusses the role which computers can play in Catholic education, describing the importance of emerging technologies such as CD-ROM, electronic mail, teleconferencing, and computer networks. Indicates that, in spite of possible financial difficulties, schools should set aside funding for educational computer programming to ensure that students…

Guidelines are offered for colleges to use in making decisions about self-operation or contracting of campus services. Six primary factors and 10 phases in the decision process are outlined. A matrix incorporating those factors and phases, and specifically designed for decision-making concerning campus computing services is also presented. (MSE)

For liberal arts colleges, an alternative method of planning for information technology is to seek nontechnology priorities for which information technology can be justified. Drew University (New Jersey) and Hartwick College (New York) have used this opportunistic approach successfully, in different ways. (MSE)

Ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communication and record-keeping in college and university planned giving programs are outlined. Simple techniques are offered for using laptop computers, planned giving software, and institutional databases to improve access to information during travel and on campus. (MSE)

The actuarial profession is described to provide secondary school mathematics teachers insights into how actuaries use mathematics in solving real life problems. Examples are provided involving compound interest, the probability of dying, and inflation with computer modeling. (MDH)

Computerized pupil transportation systems offer promising benefits to school districts. Outlines ways school administrators can select the right product by following some traditional business approaches. (MLF)

The increase in computer facilities, applications, and access on college campuses raises concerns about information and resource management. In developing an information policy, Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) addressed a variety of issues, including legal liability, censorship, resource management, ownership of information, user responsibility,…

Describes five educational restructuring projects that have been taking place in the Alhambra School District in California. Includes descriptions of literature instruction, multimedia research in high school social science, notebook computers and high school at-risk students, LogoWriter for grades 7-8, and interactive video for fourth graders.…