This roundtable report draws on recent developments and trade press articles to show the trends and drivers that are redefining the fundamental conditions and relationships of markets, organizations, and social relationships. The report is divided into four main sections. In the first, "The New Competitive Landscape" brought on by networked…

This guide builds on the framework for evaluating technology effectiveness in K-12 schools as described in the Council for Educational Development and Research's publication, "Plugging In: Choosing and Using Educational Technology." The revised framework is designed to provide encouragement and some rudimentary guidelines for critical thinking…

This paper focuses on programs for the broad-scale, cyclical replacement of faculty desktop computers and attendant training to help faculty best utilize the new technology. Four diverse institutions, Mount Holyoke College, University of Mississippi, University of North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, present and discuss their solutions. Issues…

The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC) provides its 32 members with Information Technologies (IT) services including a portal Web site, course management software, course hosting and development, faculty training, a help desk, online assessment, and a student financial aid database. These services are supplied to two- and four-year…

This paper presents user perspectives on the future of the Internet. The first section discusses understanding users, including the difference between technology service offerings and potential uses, the need for investigation into the relationship between new communications technology and social behavior, and the shift from supply-led development…

This paper begins with a discussion of outsourcing. The first section summarizes an Australian Computer Society paper on information technology outsourcing, including reasons for outsourcing and critical issues. The second section discusses the outsourced library, including: the use of the Internet to deliver services; replacement of the library…

The updated technology plan for the state of Texas makes requests of the Texas Legislature; states actions to be taken by the Texas Education Agency; and makes recommendations to other entities including other state agencies, regional education service centers, local school districts, institutions of higher education, communities and the private…

The report describes San Jose College's (California) two Web site management and design programs, and provides employment information and job market analysis for the field. The College's Web Site Administration and Web Application Solutions programs offer classes designed to give students the necessary skills in administering a Web site and in…

Working Connections is a program resulting from a partnership between the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Microsoft Corporation. The program was designed to help increase the number of skilled information technology (IT) workers by providing focused training in IT careers. Since 1998, AACC and Microsoft have awarded cash…

International civilization is undergoing fundamental changes enabled by the revolution in information and communication technology. National institutions and education systems are challenged to mediate the changes' impact. National institutes of technology (NITs) of higher education can help nation states reposition in the global economy, if they…

This paper discusses client service issues to be considered when transitioning to a virtual library situation. Themes related to the transitional nature of society in the knowledge era are presented, including: paradox and a contradictory nature; blurring of boundaries; networks, systems, and holistic thinking; process/not product, becoming/not…

The 1999 WebNet conference addressed research, new developments, and experiences related to the Internet and World Wide Web. The 394 contributions of WebNet 99 contained in this proceedings comprise the full and short papers accepted for presentation at the conference. Major topics covered include: commercial, business, professional, and community…

Viikki is one of the four campuses of the University of Helsinki. The Viikki Virtual Infocenter will be located on the Viikki Campus in Helsinki. It will be a modern learning environment that offers library and information services, study rooms and learning facilities, computer and network services, and administrative campus services to students…

This paper addresses distance learning and academic values from the author's perspectives as student, part-time scholar, and president of the Open University (United Kingdom). The following six propositions are discussed: (1) new technologies may change higher education; (2) new technologies are always superseded by newer technologies; (3) most…

The Icelandic language has a long and stable history, and Old Icelandic is still accessible to modern day Icelanders. This is despite being ruled from Denmark, with influence by the Danish language, for about 500 years. Icelandic may now be under a more serious threat from the onslaught of English. This paper evaluates the linguistic situation in…