Suggests that one reason for the relative lack of commercial success of the information superhighway may be lack of precise information. Summarizes the concepts managers need to understand to assess the impact of the information superhighway and outlines steps to ensure that organizations are prepared for future changes. (Author/LRW)

Looks at the possible directions in which the information superhighway could take us, considering both the benefits of increased knowledge and subsequent increased participation and also the dangers, such as the excess of raw information. Suggests that this information needs to be structured, and considers implications from a global perspective.…

Describes keyword, site, protocol, time, client, and user blocking and Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS), a Web rating system. Provides evaluations of five commercially available filters (Internet filters block content, keywords, sites, or a combination of these) and sample questions to evaluate filters. (PEN)

Describes XML (extensible markup language), a new language classification submitted to the World Wide Web Consortium that is defined in terms of both SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), specifically designed for the Internet. Limitations of PDF (Portable Document Format) files for electronic journals…

Participants in National Issues Forums via e-mail and Web-based conferencing 1994-96 showed evolving stages of deliberation. E-mail participants interacted very little with each other without moderators. The Web enabled more coherent visual sequencing of ideas. In some instances participants' critical thinking and reflection were developed. (SK)

Examines the ideology of Internet public relations. Takes a cultural studies approach to modern public relations, using public relations material as representation. Presents a case study of the MassNetworks Education Partnership, which was set up in 1996 to ensure that the Internet gets into the classroom. (PA)

Contributes to research on media credibility and media use by surveying politically-interested Web users online to examine whether they view Web publications as being as credible as their traditionally-delivered counterparts. Finds online media tended to be judged more credible than their traditional versions, but that both online and traditional…

Examines Internet payment systems (IPS): third-party, card, secure Web server, electronic token, financial electronic data interchange (EDI), and micropayment based. Reports the results of a Delphi survey of experts identifying and classifying IPS effectiveness criteria and classifying types of IPS providers. Includes the survey invitation letter…

Instructor-facilitators of virtual learning groups can develop the learning environment through preliminary planning, course support, and postsession review. To undertake these processes, facilitators should attend to the learning tasks, the learning process, team development, team dynamics, and team trust. (Contains 73 references.) (SK)

Several years after the first audiovisual Macintosh computer appeared, most educators are still oblivious of this technology. Almost every other economic sector (including the porn industry) makes abundant use of digital and streaming video. Desktop movie production is so easy that primary grade students can do it. Tips are provided. (MLH)

Investigates whether higher levels of Internet use are associated with depression and social isolation among adolescents. Eighty-nine high school seniors were administered a questionnaire that measured Internet use; relationships with mother, father, and peers; and depression. Low Internet users, as compared with high users, reported better…

Presents an industry insider's viewpoint on what effect the downfall of the "dot-coms" may have for educational technology and for schools using Internet services. Includes some key sign posts that point toward long-term success for these entrepreneurial education firms and for schools. Offers a checklist of what educators say they want from…

A comprehensive survey of United Kingdom special schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) has shown that the rapid increase in Internet use on the part of mainstream schools has not been mirrored in special education. Discusses reasons for the creation of special school home pages; and issues of separation and inclusion. (Author/LRW)

Reports part of a qualitative research study that used participatory action research and grounded action research to show how facilitators of virtual teams build and maintain online relationships. Focuses on how virtual team facilitators use Internet-based and conventional electronic communication channels to build personal relationships with team…

Presents a prototype system for image retrieval from the Internet using Web mining. Discusses the architecture of the Web image retrieval prototype; document space modeling; user log mining; and image retrieval experiments to evaluate the proposed system. (AEF)