Universities must achieve a new maturity in institutional planning and information management to meet the challenges of the 1980s. Decision support systems are analyzed and those that combine computing technology with knowledge about decision-making art found to hold the most promise. (Author/MLW)

In order to explore possible impacts of changing information technology on the role of the institutional research analyst, three institutional research foundations, measurement, human information processing, and decision support technology are examined. (Author/MLW)

Outlines where expert systems can be most effectively used, what types of applications are best for building expert systems, and how to put expert system applications on the World Wide Web. Illustrates how decision-making knowledge and logic can be made available on the Web, and includes examples of computer screens. (Author/LRW)

Business students (n=22) who completed writing assignments in face-to-face collaborations were compared to those (n=40) using group support systems software. Posttest performance was significantly higher for both groups. Software users had significantly higher performance on the content and organization components of writing. (SK)

Case study groups (n=106) were randomly assigned to face-to-face, chat, or group support systems conditions; half of each group received structural primers. Ditransitive structural frequency counts indicated that the primer significantly shifted learning style. Complexity was significantly greater in the group support system treatment. (14…

Describes the development of an educational decision support system (EDSS) in Israeli schools. The Israeli educational system is described, the integration of computers into school administration is discussed, the use of management information systems (MIS) is explained, and a structural framework for the implementation of an EDSS is presented.…

The use of a computer-based expert system (the HISAT Advisor) to make decisions about educational placements of students who are deaf and hard of hearing was compared to placement decisions made by teachers. For 10 student cases, a 90 percent match occurred between the expert system's decision and the majority decision of teachers. (SW)

Investigates the instructional benefits of using a Group Decision Support System (GDSS), i.e., a computer-based system implemented on a local area network for assisting a group with communication, decision making, and negotiating. An experiment using a GDSS in a graduate seminar class at the University of Mississippi is described. (31 references)…

Twelve groups of business students met face to face to complete a report; 10 groups used groupware (computerized decision support system). Overall report quality did not differ, although groupware users needed more time. Appearance and appropriate format were rated higher for the face-to-face group, and students found this method easier, faster,…

Describes a microcomputer-based microfilm management system that has been developed in a medium-sized manufacturing firm's library in Hong Kong. The system configuration is explained, a design and selection plan for a microfilm format is discussed, a selection plan for hardware is described, and an indexing system is explained. (nine references)…

Educational policies proposed with and without the aid of Decision Support Systems (DSS) were compared. 120 teachers responded to a questionnaire describing two hypothetical incidents and presenting a series of options with respect to homogeneous and heterogeneous grouping of pupils according to achievement level. After selection of preferred…

This article presents initial findings from an evaluation research study of the implementation of a Web-based decision support tool, the Quality School Portfolio (QSP), developed at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The study focused on…

In the context of decision support systems (DSS) use, four perspectives on evaluating decisions (consensual, political, empirical, and rational) and four models of organizational effectiveness (human relations, open system, internal process, and rational goal) are examined for their implications for DSS implementation and evaluation. (MSE)

Presents a hyperknowledge framework of decision support systems (DSS). This framework formalizes specifics about system functionality, representation of knowledge, navigation of the knowledge system, and user-interface traits as elements of a DSS environment that conforms closely to human cognitive processes in decision making. (Contains 52…

Describes a state-of-the-art electronic classroom at the University of Mississippi School of Business designed for large numbers of students and regularly scheduled classes. Highlights include: architecture of the room, hardware components, software utilized in the room, and group decision support system software and its uses. (JKP)