Describes the design of an experimental computer-aided cataloging advisor, Mapper, that was developed to help novice users with the descriptive cataloging of single-sheet maps from U.S. publishers. The human-computer interface is considered, the use of HyperCard is discussed, the knowledge base is explained, and assistance screens are described.…

Describes virtual realities as environments in which visual, aural, or other stimuli generate in the mind of the user a sense of navigable, frameless, three-dimensional space, and predicts that the availability of computer technology to create real-time, three-dimensional graphics will bring radical changes in the educational use of visualization…

Reports preliminary results of a research project that investigated the effectiveness of a new technique for information retrieval interfaces called colinked descriptors, based on the concept of cocited references in the field of bibliometrics. Examples of colinked descriptors from the "Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors" are presented.…

Describes the development of a model for future national and international digital libraries. Four aspects of the model are presented: (1) nine principles underlying constructing electronic archives; (2) a study of potential user needs; (3) the design and evaluation of the user interface; and (4) objects and document type definition development.…

Describes research that was conducted to investigate the needs and characteristics of noncomputer professionals who use word processing software on personal computers. A model of the intermittent user's performance is presented, and two experiments are described that examined differences in mode of interaction and the use of online help. (30…

Considers the impact of information technology on academic integrity. Highlights include machines versus man; honor codes and student cheating; copyrights for digital data; authoring versus writing; intuitive software; and an example and analysis of the use of AutoSummary in Microsoft Word 97 to create a summary of a published article. (Contains…

Presents a brief historical overview of research in individual differences in the context of virtual environments. Highlights the notion of structure in the perception of individual users of an information system and the role of individuals' abilities to recognize and use such structures to perform various information-intensive tasks. (Author/LRW)

Many catalogs are built in an ad hoc fashion, which results in uncertain quality in publicly accessible network catalogs. This article discusses problems facing designers building catalogs for large networks, relating them to resource discovery; provides a usability framework based on library science and human computer interaction literature; and…

Identifies user interface problems as they relate to computer-assisted instruction (CAI); reviews the learning theories and instructional theories related to CAI user interface; and presents potential CAI user interface improvements for research and development based on learning and instructional theory. Focuses on screen design improvements.…

Discusses the creation of guides to resources on the Internet, focusing on the Internet environment, including its culture and etiquette, authority, publication, standards, and searching tools and processes; and the process of guide construction, including the human element, the nature of resources, intellectual property, and time. (Author/LRW)

To explicate Marshall McLuhan's thinking, three concepts germane to his views on technology are introduced: technology as an extension of man; visual and acoustical space; and the laws of media. The goal is to engender a deeper appreciation of McLuhan to help educators and communication specialists understand how media (technology) can be used to…

Focuses on manager behavior within a business environment related to the classification, storage and retrieval of electronic mail messages. Discusses bibliographic control and classification theory; characteristics of managers and personal constructs; the user-system context; and the use of technology to categorize and filter e-mail messages. The…

Discusses the interaction between students and technology in online open learning distance education courses. Topics include human-computer interfaces; relationships between course design and learning theories; how students use computer technology and how it can help them learn; and a new framework for evaluating an online open learning course.…

Describes the results of a transaction log analysis of a Web search engine, WebCrawler, to analyze user's queries for information retrieval. Results suggest most users do not employ advanced search features, and the linguistic structure often resembles a human-human communication model that is not always successful in human-computer communication.…

Shows how a classic experiential exercise in management education was modified to allow participants to use networked computers as well as face-to-face interaction. Suggests ways facilitators can examine their own assumptions about computer-mediated communication and help participants deal with its impact. (SK)