Stresses providing reliable, factual information directly to users. Describes classes of data, the need for good data, quality control of databases, the electronic revolution in data dissemination, systematic cooperation to reduce costs of developing online services and of creating data bases, and trends in data dissemination. (JN)

Argues that J. R. Kendall and J. Hood have not clearly demonstrated that contextual strategies play a significant role in the ability of some disabled readers to understand passages, as well as or better than other students, although they read with less word recognition accuracy. (HOD)

While several of M. W. Sadow's arguments in the previous article convince the authors that poor contextual processing ability cannot account for the subjects' poor reading ability, they reject her argument that good contextual processing ability provides evidence of satisfactory passage understanding. (HOD)

Discusses the structure of a problem-based curriculum based on the complexity of the problems that the students must solve, taking into account the level they must attain and their previous experience with problem-based teaching. This approach is compared with the conventional teaching methods. Twenty-two references are listed. (CHC)

Because of the need for frequent diagnosis and evaluation, many educators are using computer-generated repeatable exams in PSI programs. Such computer-managed instruction being used at the University of Wyoming is described. (LBH)

In 1996, the National Library of Australia processed over 500,000 Chinese, Japanese, and Korean USMARC records through a program that identified data in the Wade-Giles romanization scheme and converted it to the more user-friendly Pinyin scheme. Describes the program development, its use in Australia, and the feasibility of an alternate…

Thirty students with dyslexia (mean age 13.5), 30 readers without disabilities, and 30 younger readers (mean age 8.9) were assessed to test the validity of the Reading Style Inventory (RSI). The RSI was not able to accurately profile children with dyslexia in terms of their cerebral hemisphere preferences. (CR)

Six papers on applications of item response theory are presented. Applications involved include item bias, criterion-referenced measurement problems, test score equating, computerized ability testing, information processing approaches, unidimensional binary responses, multidimensional and polychotomous responses, and estimation and goodness of…

Examines issues involved in processing rush document delivery requests. Presents a survey of CD-ROM and online document delivery services; suggests in-house techniques to access documents; and reviews technological advancements made in document delivery. Sidebars present typical turnaround times for various document formats and typical document…

Discusses legal and policy questions relating to public availability of federal government information in electronic form. Consumer needs are considered; public and private sector roles in adding value to electronic information are discussed; and stages of information processing at which value can be added are described. (15 references) (LRW)

A combination of total quality management and transformational leadership is necessary for successful change in organizations. Data about the thinking and problem solving of nine secondary school principals in Ontario (Canada) demonstrate that one principal displayed high levels of expert thinking and transformational leadership, meeting the…

Tests the effectiveness of CONTACT-2, a revision of CONTACT strategy, which uses continuous, computer-assisted activation of learner conceptions in text processing. CONTACT-2 was found to be more effective as a process-oriented instructional strategy. Student subjects in grades five and six with the CONTACT-2 condition constructed better…

Explores the disaggregation (ability to access/manipulate individual components of a document) and reaggregation (compilation of article components into a new written work) of scientific and technical journal articles by students and faculty members. Results lead to a discussion of metadata, the role of context in constraining component use, and…

Examines the map-making process of middle-school students to determine which actions influence their accuracy, how prior knowledge helps their map construction, and what lessons can be learned from map making. Indicates that instruction that focuses on recognition of interconnections between map elements can promote map reasoning skills. (DSK)

Videotaped observations were made of seventh and eleventh grade students using an instructional hypermedia system. Three profiles of hypermedia navigation emerged with each style characterized by distinct information processing strategies. Analysis of the characteristics of learners revealed that students within each profile group had similar…