Investigated elementary school students' responses to two user-computer interfaces while the students solved basic arithmetic problems. Interfaces involved users' direct manipulation of images or interpretation of symbols. Data indicated that students were more comfortable and solved problems more quickly when manipulating images than when…

Reconsiders and affirms the general model of factors that influence the portability potential of educational software by summarizing the articles in this special issue. Factors that received the most attention include software design and development; overall instructional approach; teacher training; and cultural assumptions. Areas for further…

Discusses the use of local area networks (LANs) in libraries and offers suggestions for less expensive versions through resource sharing. Varying disk sizes are discussed, file sharing is described, printer sharing is explained, and combined hardware and software packages for connecting two to four computers are described. (20 references) (LRW)

Describes developments in multilevel modeling of educational and other social data. Suggests that such a technique be used for school effectiveness studies, political opinion surveys, and area-based studies. Recommends that the inherent hierarchical structure of social science data be reflected in statistical models. Argues that multilevel…

TESTAT is a supplementary module for the popular SYSTAT statistical package for the personal computer. The program performs test analyses based on classical test theory and item response theory. Limitations and advantages are discussed. (SLD)

Discussion of the development of a knowledge navigation system to assist users in searching a large database in a local/wide-area network environment considers the construction of navigation maps, the use of DOS and Windows, connection with electronic mail, and parallel operation with other systems such as BITNET. (28 references) (MES)

Describes the Consortium for Lexical Research (CLR), a cooperative archive of electronic materials (e.g., software programs, research reports) for lexical research available through the Internet. Discussion covers CLR membership, archive administration, using the facility, types of materials stored, and documentation on materials. Samples of CLR…

Sixty-three undergraduates who used both the System of Interactive Guidance and Information and SIGI PLUS rated them comparably in terms of the dimensions of analysis, synthesis of options, and general helpfulness. Ratings were not influenced by career choice, vocational education, information needs, or year in school. Thirty-nine preferred SIGI…

Describes the Space Shuttle Commander software package, which utilizes the dynaturtle microworld to teach elementary and middle school students about Newton's laws of motion. Design considerations for computer-based microworlds that represent a compromise between the philosophies of constructivism and direct instruction are presented. (91…

Reviews the development of authoring systems from those present in mainframe computers to the newest versions in desktop training systems. Advances in microcomputers and the corresponding authoring systems are described, programing languages are discussed, and computer-based instructional development that includes graphical user interfaces and…

Continues a description of the Usenet computer network that began in the previous issue. The effective use of Usenet is discussed, including how to screen out unwanted information, the most helpful newsgroups to access, and setting up news reader software. Ideas for library outreach services via Usenet are also suggested. (LRW)

Describes a custom authoring system that was developed for use by multinational corporations who use computer-based training (CBT) that must be adaptable to diverse individual markets. Criteria for multinational CBT programs are discussed, the use of BASIC programing language is explained, and the author interface is described. (nine references)…

Discusses methods of textual documentation that can be used for software documentation. Highlights include measurement of text comprehensibility; methods for the measurement of documentation quality, including readability and the Cloze Procedure; tools for the measurement of text readability; and the development of the Reading Measurability…

Discusses children's ability to distinguish fantasy from reality in video games and suggests that there is potential for creative innovative software and graphics. Virtual reality is described and compared to books, and learning about all new electronic genres in addition to the best existing ones is advocated. (EAM)

Provides answers to nine common questions that day-care providers ask about computers and young children, such as (1) what can children learn with computers? (2) what are the advantages and disadvantages of having computers? (3) what types of affordably priced computers are best? and (4) what are the best software programs for young children? (MDM)