The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an integrated, laptop-based approach on pre-service teachers' computer attitudes, ability and use. Pre-post program analysis revealed significant differences in behavioural attitudes and perceived control (self-efficacy), but not in affective and cognitive attitudes. In addition, there was a…

The Visual Image User Study (VIUS), an extensive needs assessment project at Penn State University, describes academic users of pictures and their perceptions. These findings outline the potential market for digital images and list the likely determinates of whether or not a system will be used. They also explain some key user requirements for…

The Phoenix Public Library's Special Needs Center (SNC) has provided service to disabled patrons and professionals who serve the disabled community for over 10 years. Determined to stay abreast of changing needs, the SNC initiated a needs assessment project which included staff, professionals, and patrons. The purposes of the needs assessment were…

The communication technology and policy section of the Proceedings contains the following 11 papers: "The Battle for the Net Frontier: Technology and Policy in an Age of Hype and Sensationalism" (Jan H. Samoriski); "Uses and Gratifications of the World Wide Web" (Barbara K. Kaye); "Comparing Consumer Feedback Channels:…

As one of the federally-funded regional educational laboratories, the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) is committed to assessing the impact of its products and services on a variety of client subgroups. These include educators and administrators at the elementary, secondary, and higher levels. To address the issue of measuring impact, the…

Huddersfield University Library (England) has undertaken a wide range of evaluative studies of its services and systems, using various data collection techniques such as: user surveys; exit interviews; online and CD-ROM analysis; benchmarking; user groups; staffing and staff development evaluation; suggestion sheets; student project work; group…

After a new course in computer-aided writing was implemented at South Seattle Community College (SSCC), in Washington, a group of instructors met to evaluate the possibility of applying computer-aided instructional tools to the teaching of writing in College Transfer (CT) and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses at SSCC. For CT courses, the…

This document reports the results of the 31st annual utilization study and inventory of space in North Carolina institutions of higher education as of the fall 1997 semester. Text and 26 tables present data on all branches of the University of North Carolina, all branches of the North Carolina community college system, three private research…

This paper reports on a study in which data on audiobook borrowers' backgrounds, borrowing practices, and desires were collected, in order to assist library staff in making informed collection development decisions and being responsive to patron needs. Participants were patrons of the Salem Public Library (Ohio). An anonymous questionnaire was…

This report presents the methodology and results of a patron use and satisfaction survey conducted during four one-week periods in 1997-98 at the Ferndale Public Library (Michigan). Survey questions focused on patron self-description, library use, and resource evaluation. In all, 1,424 surveys were distributed and 1,222 returned for a response…

This report presents findings of a June 1998 survey of computing officials at 1,623 two- and four-year U.S. colleges and universities concerning the use of computer technology. The survey found that computing and information technology (IT) are now core components of the campus environment and classroom experience. However, key aspects of IT…

This paper reports on a study undertaken to examine student usage of course webs (i.e., course materials and resources on the World Wide Web) in classroom situations in which computers are readily available and students are comfortable using hypertext systems. The author prepared course webs for two computer science courses at Grinnell College…

One benefit often expected to flow from Internet use in schools is an increase in equality of educational opportunity as all kinds of schools gain access to the same extraordinary set of resources. Yet, prior research suggests that patterns of technology access often mirror existing inequalities rather than mitigate them. This paper discusses the…

This report, which compiles the results of 89 superintendent district-level surveys and 315 building surveys, was a combined effort of the Idaho Department of Education, the Idaho Division of Vocational Education, and the Rural Education Program at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Its purpose is to provide an initial framework for…

This paper presents the results of a pilot study of University of Illinois at Chicago faculty members, their assistants who use the library for them, and the role of the Library of the Health Sciences in that process. The Library of the Health Sciences public services staff members, College of Pharmacy faculty, and their assistants were…