A Carnegie Mellon University study examined Pittsburgh Public Schools' use of computer networks. Classroom activities included sending work to another party, collaborating on group projects, and exploiting the Internet's remote data sources and processing capabilities. Teachers' computer usage is discussed, along with implementation advice and…

Discusses collaborative projects developed between different teachers using online networks that allow students to create or write for an audience. Topics include gathering and sharing information online, cooperating in an integrated study, developing a final project, generating your own project, and joining an existing project. (LRW)

Describes distance education programs in Iowa, including the Iowa Distance Education Alliance developed through the Department of Education's Star Schools Program; the use of fiber optic technology; and the Iowa Communications Network that links colleges, universities, and secondary schools with public television. (LRW)

Presents 10 tips on managing Internet searches; highlights include area and level of expertise, request forms, lay terms for casual users, realistic times for retrieving results, a systematic approach, the operating platform and tools, a file of servers' and patrons' addresses, bookmarks and home pages, shortcuts, and the Internet Hunt. (AEF)

Describes libraries' use of the Internet to provide information on their local collections and explains how to provide searchable indexes through the use of WAIS (Wide Area Information Server) software. Highlights include Waisindex; file formats; Waissearch; and accessing WAIS indexes via a gopher, WAIS, or WWW (World Wide Web) server. (LRW)

Summarizes responses from an international survey of automated library system vendors who offer integrated, multi-user, multi-function systems running on mainframes, minis, and micros using multi-user operating systems. Companies were questioned about their computer systems, products, customers, staff, and sales figures. A comparative analysis of…

Examines demographic networks of age and educational attainment for pairs of persons involved in close interpersonal relationships. Suggests that high network density in a social network can predict organizational niches--opportunities for organizational recruitment and resources for organizational survival. Contains 35 references. (SV)

Suggestions are offered for planning a local area network (LAN) for language labs. Questions to ask, consultant selection, and LAN management are discussed. (two references) (LB)

The Electronic Networks for Interaction (ENFI) Project, begun at Gallaudet University in 1985, is described. It uses a local area computer network within a classroom for real-time written communication. The impact of ENFI on hearing-impaired students' writing is discussed. (12 references) (LB)

Examines the structure of the discipline of communication using the frequency of joint memberships in the International Communication Association's divisions and interest groups. Finds that the structure is more complex than previously suggested by bibliometric research. (SR)

Provides background on the Internet and describes the responsibilities of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Internet Engineering Task Force, and Internet Research Task Force. The Request for Comments series (i.e., publications of the Internet research and development community) and the development of Internet standards are explained, and the…

Discusses the first four months of the operation of UrbNet, an online forum for teachers in the Urban Sites Writing Network across the country to ruminate on their daily professional lives. Notes that there are more readers who are not writing on the network than is desirable. (RS)

Baltimore Learning Network is a community-based coalition embracing the aquarium, science center, and zoo; museums; libraries; government agencies; voluntary organizations; and individuals. The network's aim is identifying interests and talents in young people and nurturing them for lifelong learning. The network plans to integrate schoolwork and…

Reports on an exploratory study of computer-mediated communication (CMC) that was conducted to provide empirical evidence of the emergence of social norms in computer conferencing. Results of a content analysis of transcripts of BITNET conferences are described, and a case study of one conference is included. (11 references) (LRW)

Describes "Let's Write!" a writing package for the MS-DOS network which combines five software programs to define a new collaborative dynamic for writing, reading, and thinking on computer networks. (SR)