In computerized adaptive testing, updating parameter estimates using adaptive testing data is often called online calibration. In this paper, how to evaluate whether the adaptive testing model used for online calibration fits the item response model used sufficiently is studied. Three approaches are investigated, based on a Lagrange multiplier…

This paper outlines the basic information teachers need to know to use the World Wide Web for research and communication, using Netscape 3.04. Topics covered include the following: what is the World Wide Web?; what is a browser?; accessing the Web; moving around a web document; the Uniform Resource Locator (URL); Bookmarks; saving and printing a…

This issue of "Art to Zoo" examines the "mysteries" surrounding the Internet and offers simple "pointers" on how to access the Smithsonian's teaching materials. Many of the materials are available online. Articles include: (1) "What is the Internet?"; (2) "Connecting to the Internet"; (3) "Internet Shopping List"; (4) "Internet Terms"; (5) "A…

The Literacy Learning through Technology project sought to explore how professionals in adult literacy and basic education (ALBE) in Victoria, Australia, developed their expertise with online technology and incorporated it into their programs. Data were gathered from surveys and follow-up interviews with 10 participants and visits to 9 sites that…

This study focuses on the growth of the library automation market from 1981 to 1990. It draws on library automation data published annually in the Library Journal between 1981 and 1990. The data are used to examine: (1) the overall library system market trends based on the total and cumulative number of systems installed and revenue generated; (2)…

This paper provides an overview of electronic mail (e-mail) systems and identifies curricular applications of common systems available to educators. Highlights include an outline of selected e-mail services; a description of hardware and software needed to use e-mail; an introduction to the Internet; a look at how e-mail systems help students; and…

The Insurance Division of the Special Libraries Association began an index to insurance magazines, the "Insurance Periodicals Index" (IPI), in 1962. This study examines its historical development. The index was published monthly in an insurance trade journal and then cumulated into an annual edition. Part of the background for its…

This handbook was written by the Argonne National Laboratory for use with their electronic bulletin board system (BBS) called Newton. Newton is an educational BBS for use by teachers, students, and parents. Topics range from discussions of science fair topics to online question and answer sessions with scientists. Future capabilities will include…

This paper discusses obstacles to teaching online documentation and shares a collaborative approach to overcoming these obstacles. The paper describes three obstacles: (1) students have had limited access to online documents and hypertext systems; (2) standards and principles of effective design for online documents are not clearly established;…

This report summarizes a meeting of the EUDISED Data Network Group which focused on the changes within the Council for Cultural Cooperation (CDCC) and the Secretariat, and progress made toward achieving the aims of the 3-year plan for the online database EUDISED (European Documentation and Information System for Education). Briefly noted are…

In 1980, a study was conducted for the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) by Information Systems Consultants (ISCI) which led to the establishment of the ARL Microform Project. Based on a three-part survey, to which a total of 848 academic, government, public, and special libraries responded, the ISCI study covered: (1) general microform…

This compendium of current and recent innovative methods of health care delivery focuses on telemedicine, and educational and energy management and control applications. Each application is doumented in a project abstract describing the system and the technology employed, and citing relevant information sources and a personal or organizational…

Papers on rare and precious books and documents, which were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, include: (1) "Report on the State of Work on the Union Catalogue of Incunabula (GW) and Progress in the International Cataloguing of Incunabula" by Ursula Altmann (East Germany); (2)…

Controlled experiments were conducted with an enhanced experimental intermediary system, CONIT (COnnector for Networked Information Transfer), to test how effective such a system could be in assisting end users in online searching of medical and biomedical literature. A total of 16 end users, none of whom had previously operated CONIT or any of…

Florida Technical University's approximately 11,000 students use its Generalized Registration and Sectioning System (GRASS), which provides on-line advanced and regular registration, on-line add/drop and late registration with instant invoice and class schedule printing. Description of system capabilities, notes on development, and samples of…