For thousands of years people from da Vinci to Einstein have created models to help them better understand patterns and processes in the world around them. Computers make it easier for novices to build and explore their own models and learn new scientific ideas in the process. This book introduces teachers and students to designing, creating, and…

In 1994 the Kaiser Family Foundation commissioned a monitoring project which assessed the frequency and representation of sexual behaviors in five daytime television soap operas. A new study sought to provide up-to-date quantitative information and to extend the previous project by examining more specifically the representation of planning for and…

This paper offers advice to educators on how to tell their literacy stories through the medium of radio. It suggests educators examine their story idea closely and decide if radio is the best medium. It also suggests that educators should become familiar with the radio stations in the local market and get to know the personnel at the particular…

Suggests a new academic perspective for investigating the nature of mass-mediated public controversies based on Stuart Hall's theory of articulation. This theory is appropriated to help identify the empowering associations made between the individuals and groups participating in the 1993 controversy over the embattled television program "NYPD…

Investigates content composition, quality, and origin of two Yugoslav TV channels reflecting current media make-up in the region (remaining domination of state television and proliferation of commercial TV). Corroborates some assumed directions of new electronic media: focus on entertainment; lack of news and information programming; and high…

Discusses the availability of radio "cybercasts" on the Internet, either in real time or on demand. Topics include problems and opportunities, copyright issues, equipment and software needed for listening, and searchability of sites. Provides an annotated list of radio-related Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), including music, news,…

Document control is an issue for organizations that use SGML/HTML. The prevalent approach is to apply the same techniques to document elements that are applied to full documents, a practice that has led to an overlap of electronic publishing and document management. Lists requirements for the management of SGML/HTML documents. (PEN)

In responses received from 20 of 33 companies that recruit computer and information science students, COBOL programming language was cited as having major importance now and in the future. Respondents indicated that business graduates were not meeting expectations and suggested a need for more training in maintenance programming. (SK)

In 1996 a working group of the World Wide Web Consortium developed and released a simpler form of markup language, Extensible Markup Language (XML), combining the flexibility of standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) and the Web suitability of HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Reviews SGML and discusses XML's suitability for journal…

Discusses the use of information retrieval techniques for the automatic authoring of hypertext. Presents a typology of hypertext links, describes examples of automatic construction of hypertext, and considers evaluation problems. (LRW)

Presents an authoring model and a system for curriculum development in intelligent tutoring systems. Explains CREAM (Curriculum Representation and Acquisition Model) which allows for the creation and organization of the curriculum according to three models concerning the domain, the pedagogy, and the didactic aspects. (Author/LRW)

Analysis of 300 information technology job postings in two Internet databases identified the following skill categories: programming languages (Java, C/C++, and Visual Basic were most frequent); website development (57% sought SQL and HTML skills); databases (nearly 50% required Oracle); networks (only Windows NT or wide-area/local-area networks);…

Describes a study that explored the parameter-related misconceptions of two college students in an introductory programming course. Explains how they were able to construct correctly functioning modular programs by making adjustments to formal parameter lists; discusses results within a constructivist framework; and suggests implications for…

Analyzes the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Theorizes the relationship between collective visions of the future and the identity politics of the present. Argues that "The Next Generation" invites audiences to participate in a shared sense of the future that constrains human agency and (re)produces the…

The computer software TOPIC is designed primarily for the acquisition and practice of topical vocabulary in context. It bridges the gap between ready-made "learnware" and authoring packages by meeting teacher and learner requirements. Sample exercises are provided. (Author/LB)