Outlines benefits of integrating optical instruments in computer-based instructional systems in a science classroom including budget, immediacy, pictorial records, and graphic enhancement. Presents examples of investigative activities involving optical instruments and images digitized for computer-based manipulation. (JRH)

Presents a model of some of the typical important layers in the design of information systems, and shows how those layers interact in operation. Suggests that these layers are in the way of a cascade of each layer affecting the next. Presents a model of this cascade of interactions in information systems. Provides examples from networked…

Reviews several mechanisms to support navigation in hypertext following a brief discussion of the phenomena of disorientation in hyperspace. Categorizes ways to support navigation in terms of the following: solutions regarding the tools to support navigation; solutions regarding interface and navigation metaphors; and solutions regarding hardware…

Argues that knowledge of cognition, memory, and graphic design can improve design outcomes for computer interfaces. Discusses cognitive processing for memory, terminology, proximity and shape, Gestalt principles in design, and usability. Lists recommendations for bringing a cognitive perspective to HTML projects and selected Web resources on…

Explains Minnesota's Foundations Project, a multiagency collaboration to improve access to environmental and natural resources information. Discusses the use of the Dublin core metadata standard for Web resources and describes three studies that included needs assessment, Bridges Web site user interface, and usability of controlled vocabulary in…

Quality of e-learning systems is one of the important topics that the researchers are investigating in the last years. This paper refines the concept of quality of e-learning systems and proposes a new framework, called TICS (Technology, Interaction, Content, Services), which focuses on the most important aspects to be considered when designing or…

Computer-based communication has tremendous potential to support older adults. But if people are to use such systems autonomously, it is necessary to move beyond current interfaces and systems and develop devices that fit into the environment of the user. Using a Grounded Theory approach, three focus groups were held and, subsequently, 9 older…

This book is about the Computer Clubhouse--the idea and the place--that inspires youth to think about themselves as competent, creative, and critical learners. So much of the social life of young people has moved online and participation in the digital public has become an essential part of youth identities. The Computer Clubhouse makes an…

Dynamic discussions have begun to emerge concerning style of presentation on world wide web sites. Some hypertext markup language (HTML) designers seek an intimate and chatty ambience, while others want to project a more professional image. Evaluators see many sites as overdecorated and indecipherable. This paper offers suggestions on selecting…

This paper discusses six challenges relevant to Web-based testing. Some of these challenges are not specific to Web-based testing, but generalize to all computer-based testing. The challenges are: (1) security and using test centers for Web-based testing; (2) measuring complex skills and problem-solving tasks on the Web; (3) integrating modern…

At the center of hypertext is the link, an active connection from part of one document to another document (or part of that document). In the early days of the World Wide Web, it was easy for readers to identify the links on the page: the unvisited links appeared in blue and underlined, the visited links appeared in red or purple and underlined.…

This paper describes an evaluation of the Kea automatic keyphrase extraction algorithm. Tools that automatically identify keyphrases are desirable because document keyphrases have numerous applications in digital library systems, but are costly and time consuming to manually assign. Keyphrase extraction algorithms are usually evaluated by…

As more information resources become accessible using computers, the digital interfaces to those resources need to be appropriate for all people. However, when it comes to digital libraries, the interfaces have typically been designed for older children or adults. The researchers have begun to develop a digital library interface that is…

Client/server computing and the adoption of the World Wide Web make it possible for academic libraries to build automated library systems that present locally mounted and remote resources through a common interface. This article recounts issues encountered by the Iowa State University Library as it undertook this process. (Author/LRW)

Classifies sites on the World Wide Web according to purpose. Examines what metaphorical design has to offer Web site designers and details how principles of metaphorical design were applied to create a university Web site. Discusses technological limitations that influence design decisions and when metaphorical design might not suit a Web site.…