Automation of the survey process has proved successful in many industries, yet it is still underused in educational research. This is largely due to the facts (1) that number crunching is usually carried out using software that was developed before information technology existed, and (2) that the educational research is to a great extent trapped…

This paper describes an electronic guidebook, "Sotto Voce," that enables visitors to share audio information by eavesdropping on each others guidebook activity. The first section discusses the design and implementation of the guidebook device, key aspects of its user interface, the design goals for the audio environment, the eavesdropping…

Examines the growing trend toward and objectives of government outsourcing of information technology (IT) both in the United States and around the world. Describes representative outsourcing arrangements; highlights steps governments should take to ensure that objectives are met; and discusses factors influencing management of public sector…

Assessment of the cost effectiveness of information technologies should pay attention to such benefits as learner motivation, individualization, efficiency, self-assessment, retention, consistent quality, and distributive power. (SK)

Although providing computers for prisoners is controversial, such training does improve their postrelease job prospects, enables them to experience the discipline of learning, and helps develop social and life skills. (SK)

Describes a model for thinking about information professionals working in information technology (IT). This Information Resources Model describes the roles of information professionals and how these roles relate to users of information resources. (SLD)

Discusses implementing information technology (IT) into education in Kazakhstan based on the work of the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KIMEP). Topics include KIMEP's status as a leading higher education institution and stages of IT development, including…

Discusses problems relating to situated cognition and cognitivist approaches to learning and instruction. Contends that authenticity and generalizability are compatible; introduces the notion of the authenticity-Generalizability (A-G) continuum, where the emphasis should be scaffolding within the continuum; and proposes two kinds of information…

Discusses the use of information and communication technology in collaborative learning environments and reports on a study of four good practice examples of collaborative learning and virtual learning environments. Explains factors critical to success and emphasizes the importance of coherent coursedesign. (Author/LRW)

Because of advances in computer and communications technologies, once distinct information-based industries are converging with broadcasting and telecommunications, creating new jobs and eliminating old ones. The International Labor Organization has begun to tackle the social and labor issues expected in a virtual world. (Author/JOW)

Introduces a rotation and scale invariant log-polar wavelet texture feature for image retrieval. The underlying feature extraction process involves a log-polar transform followed by an adaptive row shift invariant wavelet packet transform. Experimental results show that this rotation and scale invariant wavelet feature is quite effective for image…

Discusses how a higher education institution might answer the question, "What do we want to do with or accomplish through technology?" by clarifying the level at which information technology (IT) strategic planning is approached. Describes factors that, when incorporated into the planning process, may ensure success, and discusses the impact of…

Provides an overview of information technology as a career field and looks at working conditions, earnings, training, and the pros and cons of the career. Includes other sources of information. (JOW)

Discusses why some college officials see personal digital assistants as must-have tools, while others find the hand-held computers a drain on resources. (EV)

Describes the demands being made on industrial information professionals and explores the roles that such professionals will be expected to fill in the future. The qualifications and skills needed to fulfill these roles are identified and discussed. (four references) (CLB)