A survey of 41 graduate students who had and 211 who had not taken a course on using graphics for presentations found that course participants used more sophisticated media, are more critical of their performance, thought the course should be required, present often and expect to be required to make presentations in their future work. (SK)

Compares results of traditional Boolean searching with those of Freestyle, LEXIS/NEXIS's natural language application. Study found that though the Boolean searches had better results more often, neither method demonstrated superior performance for every query, suggesting that different queries demand different techniques. Concludes that further…

Presents the computer software Mathemagic, a remedial teaching system for high school mathematics. Describes a preliminary study that showed that the software could provide effective remediation to students. (Author/ASK)

Examines the usefulness of automating college and university facility management and illustrates one university's effort to adopt a state-of-the-art facility management technology system. Various modules in automated facility management systems are highlighted, including facility assessment; and space, master, and location planning. (GR)

Reviews the Internet and intranets, private communications networks within organizations. Examines extranets (organization's intranet offering password-protected external customer and supplier access to selected portions of its intranet) highlighting the viewpoint of librarians. Discusses extranet issues (security, access, user satisfaction),…

Describes one Canadian school district's use of an integrated Facilities Management Information System (FMIS) to help address the effective and efficient planning, building, operating, and maintaining of their schools and other Board facilities. Development of the FMIS and its demands for organizational restructuring and change in the workplace…

Techniques for enhancing a computer-based presentation are outlined, including selection of an appropriate laptop computer, considerations in choosing presentation software, and factors in selection and use of a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector. Information is given on five currently available presentation programs. (MSE)

The model for hypermedia applications called Labyrinth allows: (1) the design of platform-independent hypermedia applications; (2) the categorization, generalization and abstraction of sparse unstructured heterogeneous information in multiple and interconnected levels; (3) the creation of personal views in multiuser hyperdocuments for both groups…

Control charts are practical tools to monitor various school indicators (attendance rates, standardized test scores, grades, and graduation rates) by displaying data on the same scale over time. This article shows how principals can calculate the upper natural-process limit, lower natural-process limit, and upper control limit for attendance. (15…

Discussion of user-design as a theoretical process for creating training, software, and computer systems focuses on a case study that describes user-design methodology in home health care through the context of diffusing a new laptop patient-record-keeping system with home nurses. Research needs and implications for the design process are…

Discusses ways in which computer software is consistent with general guidelines for providing effective and efficient intervention to young children with communication disorders. Beneficial characteristics of computer software and the potential usefulness of computer software in intervention are illustrated with examples from a child with delays…

This study sought to find an efficient and optimal sound format for the development of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in the network environment and to provide some useful suggestions to the developers of CALL software who are interested in optimizing performance while maintaining an appropriate sound quality in the network…

Describes interconnection methods, speed, and comparative equipment costs of networking starter kits. These kits supply network-connection devices that plug into or connect to each computer that is part of a network; they may also provide interconnection cables and installation software needed to set up a network. Reviews 20 kits that use a…

Discussion of the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem, the computer-code problem that affects computer programs or computer chips, focuses on the impact on teacher-librarians. Topics include automated library systems, access to online information services, library computers and software, and other electronic equipment such as photocopiers and fax machines.…

The capacity of the "Geometer's Sketchpad" to trace the path of points by drawing the position of the point at different times provides a powerful tool to help see how velocities are related. Provides a snapshot of the process, along with the traces. (Author/ASK)