Describes a series of studies on form redesign which used usability testing to test a particular tax form. Describes testing practitioners and tax payers, the redesigning of the form, the testing of the revised form, and the value of conducting usability tests. (SR)

Analyzed data from 125 questionnaires completed by callers of telephone helpline specializing in Alzheimer's disease and related dementing illnesses. On average, 3.94 requests for information were made per call. Most common requests concerned home services, general information about dementia, information about adult day care, and support group…

Discussion of the use of telecommunications systems in academic institutions focuses on the need for a policy to prevent inappropriate use by members of the academic community. Reviews relevant federal legislation, examines previous studies, and presents a sample telecommunications-use policy. (LRW)

Examines the challenges involved in conducting an informal usability case study based on the introduction of a new information-retrieval system to experienced users. Identifies problems users were having with TREC (Text Retrieval Conference) and examines the usability of the new ZPRISE interface. (Author/LRW)

A survey of 142 information technology (IT) managers, CIOs, and CEOs in manufacturing, government, financial services, education, health care, retailing, aerospace, chemicals, and wholesaling examined business use of the Internet and found that although 85% of respondents are using the Internet, the perception is that their customers and vendors…

Argues that usability research has particular relevance for enhancing the effectiveness of websites. Examines the nature and value of usability research, and the elements of an effective website based on usability principles. (SR)

Stanley Milgram's 1967 "small world" social connectivity study is used to analyze information connectivity, or patron information-seeking behavior. The "small world" study, upon examination, offers a clear example of the failure of social connectivity. This failure is used to highlight the importance of the subjectivities of patron experience of…

Museum educators enter the field from a variety of backgrounds, not all rooted in visitor studies. In this article, the author discusses his experiences making the transition from university academics to the science center arena, and his struggles to define his role as an educator. A turning point for this search was his collaboration with exhibit…

Patterns and correlates of service utilization by adults with a developmental disability were examined using data from 831 mothers of an adult child with a developmental disability. A modified Andersen model of health services was used to examine service utilization in seven domains. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that predictors of…

This paper calls attention to the vital need to reexamine the role of the students' first language in foreign language teaching. It provides a brief snapshot of the views concerning L1 use in L2 classes put forward by different methodological schools of thought over the last century. Through the presentation of potential uses of the first…

School improvement without will and moral purpose--without a genuine commitment to all students--is an empty exercise in compliance that, in the authors' experience, can do more harm than good. The authors have seen educators use data to "more accurately" track students, further widening the opportunity-to-learn gap. In response to achievement…

Background: In this study, we describe the experience of participating in interactive training (IT) for active support (AS). Staff (N = 58) working with adults with an intellectual disability (ID) received IT on providing effective assistance for participation in daily activities. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff (N =…

This report presents pilot-test results for a science professional development program featuring online, on-demand materials developed by the National Science Teachers Association. During the spring 2006 semester, 45 middle school teachers from three different school districts across the United States participated in a professional development…

This study investigates how two elementary teachers begin to use technology in a private school that had access to technology at many levels. Using a collaborative teacher-research model, the researcher specifically examined how to support teachers' practice as they integrated technology tools within their literacy curriculum. Due to a supportive…

With the development of the Internet in the era of knowledge-driven economy, e-learning is experiencing rapid growth. The online learning course websites are drawing more attention as well. This research combines the innovation diffusion theory and the technology acceptance model, and adds two research variables, perceived system quality and…