Discusses accountability concerns in higher education regarding the value of information technology expenditures and applications and suggests the importance of institutional information technology plans. Topics include academic libraries and information technology plans; plan structures; writing a plan; and recommended sections to include in an…

Argues for a more holistic approach of studying ICT (information and communication technology) in schools by adopting a sociocultural perspective. Proposes a theoretical framework based on activity theory and describes the development of a research agenda for the study of ICT in Singapore schools. (Author/LRW)

Presents a historical overview of the concept of copyrights as background for a detailed analysis of the licensing elements used for the protection of databases. The ramifications for the introduction of gateway systems without appropriate controls are discussed. (One reference) (CLB)

Provides a historical perspective on archival automation and an overview of the management, planning, staffing, and user considerations that arise as a consequence of automation. Future technological developments are summarized. (41 references) (MES)

Older adults ages 56-88 (n=12), some physically frail, were taught word processing and recorded their life histories. Older adults felt the same as a comparison younger group about ease of use, but were less confident in using computers without help. They were enthusiastic and demonstrated changes in general mental health and attitudes toward…

Discusses how information technology and information retrieval may be used to build the virtual library, based on examples from Carnegie-Mellon University. Topics include information technology infrastructure, including distributed computing; Boolean searching; natural language processing; navigating the Internet; and prototypes and problems at…

Describes the concept of the Memex, an imaginary information retrieval machine proposed by Vannevar Bush in 1945. The technological background of the Memex and of other visions of that period are examined with special reference to Emanuel Goldberg, inventor of a microfilm selector using a photoelectric cell. Bush's work is reassessed in this…

Describes international standards for information technology, including an emerging standard for interchangeable multimedia and hypermedia scripts. Highlights include data interchange standards; HyTime (Hypermedia/Time-Based Structuring Language); DSSSL (Document Style Semantics and Specification Language); SPDL (Standard Page Description…

Raises fundamental questions about the scope of information science and information retrieval, and illustrates how it has evolved over the last 60 years. The work of European documentalists is described, the terminology of multimedia is examined, and image handling is discussed as a method of focusing on representations other than text. (12…

Argues for a new theoretical perspective on representations that is centered around the notion of inscriptions, graphical representations recorded in and available through some medium. The social practices of inscription users are receiving research attention. Implications for classroom learning-environments are discussed. (SLD)

Suggests that the old image of computer "nerd" or "geek" is totally out of date and that, because of the demand for information technology (IT) professionals, people who cling to that image are closing off opportunities for themselves. Discusses some of the careers available to IT professionals. (JOW)

Examines issues of quality in higher education in relation to economic concepts of productivity. Suggests that the debate between definitions of productivity that focus on costs and traditional concepts of quality may affect policy decisions in how campuses use information technology. (DB)

Describes two initiatives developed by Sears that were designed to align career development with business goals: goal cascading, in which individual performance goals were used to determine needed skills and knowledge; and proactive career planning, a guide for career management developed when the corporation underwent significant organizational…

Describes the author's Internet search for information about her great grandfather. States that with the help of the genealogical Web sites, listservs, and other databases, the author was able to piece together a narrative of his genealogical life. Suggests using variations of a name when searching for information, and to be persistent when asking…

Training for 561 executives in the use of information and communications technologies was based on a model, the Executive Learning Ladder. Results indicated that sense making was accelerated when conducted in peer groups before being extended to less-experienced managers. Learning preference differences played a role. (Contains 38 references.) (SK)