Describes how Harvard Graphics, a computer graphics program, has been incorporated into three courses--Basic Business Communication, Administrative Communication, and Developing Computer Presentation Graphics (a graduate course)--at the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. (MM)

Presents an edited transcript of a discussion among experts on academic software in which they discuss software development in composition studies. (RS)

Uses of Intermedia, computer software designed to help instructors express relationships between concepts in the sciences and humanities, are discussed. The kinds of educational problems Intermedia was intended to address are described, some materials created using it are surveyed, and experiences with Intermedia in various educational contexts…

Reviews changes in the ERIC database on compact disk that have been made in systems offered by the following vendors: Dialog, SilverPlatter, and OCLC. Highlights include system requirements, costs, search strategies, printing, help screens, tutorials, double posting, available formats, display of search results, and searchable fields. (LRW)

Presents a taxonomy describing various uses of artificial intelligence techniques in automated instructional development systems. Instructional systems development is discussed in relation to the design of computer-based instructional courseware; two systems being developed at the Air Force Armstrong Laboratory are reviewed; and further research…

Discussion of the development of an expert system that will serve as the primary advisor for individual course sequencing in a graduate program focuses on the characteristics and selection of an expert system shell (i.e., software that facilitates expert system development). Advantages, disadvantages, and prices of several commercial products are…

Study examined how learning computer applications in group settings affected individual achievement and attitudes, noting group processes demonstrated by students in a college computer course who participated in individual or group conditions. Pre- and posttesting indicated no between-group differences in achievement or attitude, suggesting group…

Discusses issues surrounding virtual reality and "virtual books." Suggests that those who are exploring the territory of virtual realities are already helping to expand and enrich expectations and visions for integrating technology into reading and writing. (RS)

Deals with three issues regarding computers in schools: (1) security measures for both hardware and software; (2) the usefulness of a network modem; and (3) a faculty workshop on revision. Appends a list if revision questions for writers developed by the faculty workshop. (SR)

The Machine Readable Collections Reading Room of the Library of Congress is described with an emphasis on the reference assistance required and how it compares with assistance required in other areas of the Library of Congress. The interaction between users and librarians is shown to be like that of bibliographic instruction. (EAM)

Provides an overview of the articles in this special issue, which deals with the portability, or transferability, of educational computer software. Motivations for portable software relating to cost, personnel, and time are discussed, and factors affecting portability are described, including technical factors, educational factors, social/cultural…

Discusses factors that must be considered when designing educational software for international, multicultural use. Basic design principles are examined, including graphics and content; system factors are described, including language; cultural differences are discussed; instructional strategies are considered; and the software development process…

Describes five categories of software that can be useful in the basic writing classroom: computer-assisted instruction, computer-controlled instruction, artificial intelligence, computer-based rhetorical invention, and word processing. Evaluates each type of software in terms of their ability to fulfill the goals of basic writing instruction to…

Presents recent changes in the technology, expansion of courseware, and distribution to other institutions of the interactive videodisc courseware utilized as a significant part of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum at the University of Illinois since 1986. (JJK)

Discusses "REFLEX," a software package for scheduling. Explores the program's applications in preparing a departmental class schedule. Explains that "REFLEX" includes a filter function and some attributes of a spreadsheet but lacks the ability to interact with other databases. Concludes that the program can make scheduling…