As seen in the proposed Maryland School Performance Program, need to synthesize data into meaningful information and ability to explore data relationships could be keys to improved student achievement. Montgomery County's School Based Instructional Monitoring System (SIMS) will permit its instructional leadership staff to examine and interrelate…

Dilemmas inherent in the attempt to measure and evaluate informal supports available to individuals in need of social care are illustrated through a study of 400 elderly persons in Jerusalem. Practical guidelines for evaluation are presented. (SLD)

Examines the work of five researchers who have conducted studies of writing with computers or writing with computer-assisted instruction in the following areas: composing with word processing; writing improvement attributed to computers; instructional software; computer networks for writing; and collaborative writing through telecommunications.…

If one's reference point is university life a generation ago, one can say that things are getting better for gay faculty, students, administrators, and staff. College administrators need to take an activist stance to counteract misinformation about gays and cultural prejudices, and the growing problem of hate-motivated incidents. (MLW)

Proposes 13 trends that educational software development should follow. Four main areas are considered: (1) the computing environment, including hardware and networking; (2) software design, including learner control and hypermedia; (3) the user, or learner, including group activities; and (4) the software development process, including…

Describes online catalog research being conducted in Europe in the areas of interaction and interface design, subject access, functional improvement through the application of information retrieval techniques, and library networks. Three operational online catalogs, not available outside Europe, are discussed. (30 references) (CLB)

Details the design, financial support, organizational structure, and evolution of a program to facilitate the automation of small public libraries in Massachusetts and to promote resource sharing among those libraries. A sidebar by Governor Dukakis expresses his views on the role and importance of libraries. (MES)

Seven articles discuss topics related to information activities supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC): (1) background on the Information Science Division; (2) advances in information technology; (3) the role of information specialists; (4) information networking in Latin America; (5) reaching information users; (6)…

This guide to functions to consider in selecting an academic library automation system to operate in a networked environment covers (1) the current academic networking environment; (2) library automation hardware and software platforms; (3) user interface requirements for public access; and (4) security and authentication. (10 references) (MES)

The pervasiveness of powerful computers and computer networks has raised the specter of new forms of abuse and of concomitant ethical issues. Blurred boundaries, hackers, the Computer Worm, ethical issues, and implications for academic institutions are discussed. (MLW)

Describes high school courses, K-12 student enrichment programing, and inservice teacher training offered by interactive (two-way audio) instructional television satellite systems. Outlines the benefits of live, satellite television instruction for rural and small schools. Contains 11 references. (SV)

A description is given of the IMPACT II programs which support local staff development efforts by focusing on the improvement of teacher creativity and insure teacher-to-teacher sharing of curriculum and teaching ideas. (JD)

A study to test whether or not a computer network can be used to ease the isolation of housebound AIDS patients and help them get advice and make decisions about their health care is described. The research is supported by the National Institutes of Health. (MLW)

Reviews the history of the network that supports the MELVYL online union catalog, describes current technological and policy issues, and discusses the role the network plays in integrating local automation, the union catalog, access to resource databases, and other initiatives. Sidebars by Mark Needleman discuss the TCP/IP protocol suite, internet…

Reports on a computer-based research model that was designed to test family process variables. Integration with an existing family decision-making process model is described, the microcomputer/mainframe system is explained, and system reliability and validity are discussed in relation to traditional process variable research methodologies. (29…