Information technologies, particularly the personal computer and the World Wide Web, are changing the ways that scientists communicate. This article offers a new paradigm for communication in science, and suggests how digital media might bring new roles and functionalities to participants. The argument is made that behavioral and organizational…

Since 1900, comparative studies of education have progressed from copying "advanced" nations' systems for the elite, to considering cultural contexts, social inclusiveness, and wider cultivation of competencies. Computerized information technologies have rendered education increasingly interactive, accessible, and free. The study of such…

Information technology, empowered by those who control capital, has become the global infrastructure, resulting in the development of learning societies as superstructural phenomena. Four dimensions of the learning society--futuristic, planned, reflective, and market--are analyzed, and their implications for the study of comparative education are…

Instructional designers and researchers are attempting to identify the factors that determine which type of graphic visuals to employ in a specific situation as well as how best to utilize available resources. The use of three-dimensional graphics in a variety of media formats is addressed, including a discussion of specific instructional…

Reviews two books that give an overview of the broad spectrum of new educational technology advocates, what they have accomplished using various distance media in developing countries, and what they are proposing for the future. Weaves the reviewer's personal experiences with these projects into the review. Discusses implications for comparative…

Interviews with 51 librarians and 40 computer-center administrators at smaller colleges found that they face similar challenges in providing services and seeking economies but are uneasy about formal structural changes that bring their operations closer together. Reasons for their concern and implications for college administration are discussed,…

Provides definitions of the following words and phrases that are related to technology and its use in the social sciences classroom: CD-ROM, database, discussion group, e-mail, hypertext and hypermedia, Internet, simulation, spreadsheets, virtual field trip, and World Wide Web. (AEF)

This article reviews the literature to examine whether new technologies have created new ethical dilemmas in librarianship. Four possible areas of concern are identified: privacy and confidentiality, acquisitions and collection development, archiving and preservation, and deskilling and gender bias. (Author/LRW)

Provides "The Librarian's Bookshelf" a selected annotated bibliography of books (mostly published since 1995) to help librarians deal with the issues of providing appropriate service to children and adults. Lists titles alphabetically in several categories of technical services and issues, instruction, information services, legal issues,…

Examines the various activities librarians perform to help patrons find information. Discusses new ideas in cataloging for electronic resources; extending patrons' reference questions to Web resources; reader's advisory services on the Web; online instruction for online searching; and the future outlook for the librarian profession. (AEF)

Discusses user education in China's academic libraries in light of educational reform and the changing role of academic libraries. Describes information technology developments, objectives of user education, and the emphasis on computerbased searching in the Tsinghua University library. (LRW)

Despite much debate and discussion, many in higher education understand little of the consequences of trends in technology. The real challenge is for trustees, administrators, and faculty to attend and respond to change and to create both institutional and individual capacity for self-renewal that recognizes, anticipates, and accommodates change.…

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is an infrastructure that enables the encoding, exchange and reuse of structured metadata. RDF additionally provides a means for publishing both human-readable and machine-readable vocabularies designed to encourage the reuse and extension of metadata semantics among disparate information communities.…

Provides a framework for understanding the issues connecting IT (information technology) studies in Australian high schools to Australia's information economy future. Topics include the IT industry; government's strategic planning for a stronger economic future; and the role of teachers, including the need for more IT teachers. (LRW)

Reports on the author's evaluation of an article he wrote in 1995 that attempted to predict how technology would be utilized in education in the year 2000. States that, overall, technology in higher education met his predictions. Considers how technology will further change the future and attempts to determine the role of developmental educators…