Suggests that a combination of face-to-face and computer-mediated discussion (CMD) provides a learning environment superior to that of the traditional classroom. Finds that students actively involved in CMD groups not only reported learning more than they otherwise would have but also tended to earn higher grades than students taking part in…

Describes the introduction of virtual, or digital, reference service at the University of New Brunswick libraries. Highlights include analyzing transcripts from LIVE (Library Information in a Virtual Environment); reference question types; ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) information literacy competency standards; and the Big 6…

Reviews some of the current approaches for assessing asynchronous interaction. Describes an approach to assessing the contributions of students to an asynchronous forum (WebBoard) based on social constructivist learning theory. Presents a taxonomy of computer mediated discourse organized by the Simmons levels of assessing reflective thinking. (AEF)

Discusses online assessment as a method to assess student learning in an online environment. Highlights include educators' perspectives; students' perspectives; administrators' perspectives; online assessment tools and systems; and the future of online assessment. (LRW)

This excerpt from "The CD-ROM Handbook" (Desmarais, Meckler Corp., 1988) describes a variety of CD-ROM products with library applications. Highlights include cataloging services; acquisitions; public access catalogs; reference works; indexes and databases; and names and addresses of 30 vendors connected with the optical publishing…

Discusses the growing use of telecommunications in the classroom and lists 30 projects and networks currently available to educators. Highlights include general online services; databases; news services; local area projects; worldwide projects; electronic mail projects, including AT&T's Long Distance Learning Network (LDLN); and networks for…

Describes the development of library services at AT&T Bell Labs, which led to the creation of a large variety of services and computerized systems. The discussion covers the effects of divestiture on the present network and plans for future growth. A comprehensive list of the current information product line is provided. (16 references)…

Describes the development of a financial computing laboratory at the University of Lancaster (United Kingdom) and outlines the ways in which online financial information has been integrated into teaching and research. Highlights include hardware used; computer networks; commercial databases used in the financial sector; and teaching and research…

Alumni research does not yet have its own body of literature and resources. Readings are selected from related areas, such as fundraising, marketing, survey research, and other resource books. (MLW)

In the first of three articles, the producer of Energyline, Energynet, and Tele/Scope recalls the development of the databases and database business strategies. The second describes the development of biomedical online databases, and the third discusses future developments, including full text databases, database producers as online host, and…

A method for measuring diversity of opinion in public library collections was developed and tested in selected Online Computer Library Center libraries. It concentrated on locating an objective index of measurement, identifying the diverse materials available, and selecting key variables that relate to diversity. Four controversial subjects were…

The University of Rochester's experience with online analytical processing (OLAP), part of its executive information system, is reported. The server, a multiuser, local area network (LAN)-based database loaded from legacy systems or a data warehouse, can rapidly manipulate and display data, and allows quick creation and changing of analytical…

Describes types of full-text databases in medicine; discusses features for searching full-text journal databases available through online vendors; reviews research on full-text databases in medicine; and describes the MEDLINE/Full-Text Research Project at the University of Missouri (Columbia) which investigated precision, recall, and relevancy.…

Outlines the basic options that schools and libraries have for accessing the Internet, focusing on four models: direct connection; dial access using SLIP/PPP (Serial Line Internet Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol); dial-up using terminal emulation mode; and dial access through commercial online services. Discusses access option issues such as…

Discusses two Electronic Library Education Centers (ELECs) created at the University of Arizona to improve library instruction in the use of online resources. Examines costs of developing ELECs; technical changes experienced; and benefits to users and librarians. A sidebar by Abbie J. Basile identifies Internet resources for planning and/or…