This study investigates the perceived barriers to adopting information and communication technologies (ICT) in Omani higher education. One hundred faculty members from four different departments at the College of Applied Sciences in Oman participated in the study. The participants took a survey, which was developed based on the Western literature.…

As news outlets create headlines such as "A Cloud & A Prayer," "The Cloud Is the Computer," and "Leveraging Clouds to Make You More Efficient," many readers have been left with cloud confusion. Many definitions exist for cloud computing, and a uniform definition is hard to find. In its most basic form, cloud…

This paper has five objectives: (a) to review the scientific background of, and major findings reported in, Medical Problem Solving, now widely recognized as a classic in the field; (b) to compare these results with some of the findings in a recent best-selling collection of case studies; (c) to summarize criticisms of the hypothesis-testing model…

Discusses the development of the Smart Book, a device which simplifies access to information normally found in printed form, and describes its two distinct components--the reader unit containing computer equipment, display screen, and controls, and the ROM book pack containing the text of the book and program functions. Possible applications are…

A successful introduction to information and communications technologies requires a nonthreatening location, confidence-building experiences, a foundation for independent learning, adequate resources, and instructor support. (SK)

Computer anxiety stems from several factors: psychological (locus of control, fear), sociological (isolation, dehumanization, stereotypes), and operational (negative experiences). Trainers should confront expectations and preconceptions, focus content toward the learner, and tailor the learning environment. (SK)

Describes an online procedures manual for a cataloging department created on WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows. Features discussed include use of hypertext links, conceptual models, templates and button bars, and the use of other WordPerfect features to customize the manual. (JKP)

Discussion of the use of information and communication technologies to support educational processes focuses on electronic learning systems and problems related to the management of the complexity of these systems. Presents electronic learning models and discusses the need for specific research about their organizational development. (Author/LRW)

Explains the digital economy and its impact on the firm. Highlights include subsectors of the digital economy, including infrastructure; analysis of the digital economy in Spain; analysis of the ICT (information and communication technology) sector in Spain; and electronic commerce through the Internet. (LRW)

A survey of 448 managers, trainers, and support staff in corporations identified distance education methods used: computer conferencing (237), CD-ROM/multimedia (80), print (52), and videoconferencing (25). The greatest barriers were lack of technical expertise and organizational change. A relationship between an organization's distance education…

Describes a program called Electronic Community for Teachers (ECOT), developed at Rice University and implemented in the Houston (Texas) Independent School District. The purpose of ECOT is to create an electronic community of teachers to enhance their understanding and use of educational technology. (PKP)

Responses from 408 of 673 administrative support personnel in financial organizations indicated that the majority reported being proficient only using text-intensive tools. Administrative assistants/secretaries reported substantially higher skill levels using spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, and graphics than did executive secretaries…

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that computer-related jobs will increase by 60% over the next decade. Information technology will fuel economic growth in the next millennium. Certification is increasingly being used to screen job applicants. (JOW)

Considers document standardization as a way to effectively utilize information technology and discusses two ways of describing the work context of documents: process modeling and life cycle modeling. Explains a test of the modeling methods in an SGML standardization project in Finland called RASKE (from the Finnish words 'Rakenteisten…

A problem with dynamic Internet protocol (IP) addressing arises when the Internet connection is through an Internet provider since the IP address is allocated only at connection time. This article examines a number of online and offline methods for resolving the problem. Suggests dynamic domain name system (DNS) and directory service look-up are…