Describes GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials) that provides easy, fast, and free access to lesson plans, curriculum units, and other educational materials on the Internet. Discusses interaction between users and content providers; GEM versus search engines; how a GEM record is created; and the metadata used in GEM records. (LRW)

Explores potential online media service access in light of motivational factors, existing media use level, home communication technology infrastructure and demographic attributes. Findings indicate perceived gratification expectation dimensions were strong predictors of likely online media service use. (Contains 64 references.) (AEF)

To maximize electronic learning (instruction or learning experiences delivered or enabled by electronic technology) for work force development, the following are needed: (1) the highest quality possible; (2) new measures and methods for assessment and certification of learning; and (3) broad, equitable access. (SK)

The experience of a county government illustrates factors to consider in implementing online employment testing for job candidates: (1) selection of the appropriate Internet-based test; (2) passwords, timing, security, and technical difficulties; and (3) provisions for applicants who lack Internet access. (SK)

Examines public library budgets by the population size served. Discusses total budgets, salary budgets, and materials budgets; funding and technology, including e-rate for Internet access and Internet filtering; and fundraising. (LRW)

New economy corporate Web sites have pioneered exciting techniques-rich media, interactivity, personalization, community, and integration of much third-party content. Discusses business-to-business (B2B) Web commerce, with examples of several B2B corporate sites; portal and content elements of these sites; and corporate content outlooks. (AEF)

Discusses the use of applied cognitive task analysis (ACTA) to interview novices and gain insight into their cognitive skills and processes. Focuses particularly on novice Internet searchers at the University of Staffordshire (United Kingdom) and reviews attempts to modify ACTA, which is intended to gather information from experts as part of…

Describes a project conducted in England and Scotland that engaged teenagers in using Internet-based tools to collaborate in problem-based learning. Explains Motorola Expeditions, designed to help young people develop skills in using new network technologies to work together in teams to solve real world problems. Results showed a significant…

Urges the environmental education community to recognize that the time is ripe for educators to embrace education reform initiatives based on the National Science Education Standards, and the development of promising Internet resources for teaching environmental sciences. (Author/MM)

This article offers a list of World Wide Web sites with general collections of resources on students with dual exceptionalities and also on sources of information on specific disabilities. (Contains 3 references.) (LC)

Describes a new instructional framework, Internet Workshop, designed around three themes reflecting how literacy is changing. Notes that the Internet Workshop consists of an independent reading of information on the Internet around a topic and a location initially designated by the teacher; it concludes with a short workshop session where students…

Discusses Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) that converts existing telephone lines into digital circuits which transmit data at 256Kbps to 7 Mbps. Describes ADSL, unique features of "Megabit Services" and initial deployment, costs, and impact on library services (extra bandwidth for Internet services, multimedia or other…

A study assessed Master of Business Administration (MBA) students' (n=89) perceptions of the quality and convenience associated with the MBA program at West Texas A&M University. Students had mixed feelings about Internet-based instruction. Although over half felt it reduced the value of their degree, many identified positive aspects and fewer…

Interviews with seven adults who are successfully taking college courses via Internet-based distance education offer vignettes of their experiences. Students emphasize the importance of keeping current, the value of a regular schedule, their enjoyment of the flexibility distance education provides, and their desire for the immediate feedback of…

Discusses approaches to reference services in academic libraries in light of new technologies and emphasizes the need to maintain the personal element, based on experiences at Northeastern State University (Oklahoma). Topics include roving librarians; desktop video conferencing; Internet media and the World Wide Web; and remote users. (LRW)