Identifies some of the common features of authoring programs. Outlines factors to consider when buying an authoring software package, including access to equipment, development and maintenance of courseware, purchasing and updating hardware and software, platform selection, and authoring skills. Presents a list of questions to ask vendors before…

Evaluates six CD-ROM products for library users that provide information on companies: (1) CD/Corporate: U.S. Public Companies; (2) Compact D/SEC; (3) Compustat PC Plus Corporate Text; (4) General Business File; (5) Moody's 5000 Plus; and (6) Standard and Poor's Corporations. Information provided includes companies included, online database…

Computer-based problem-solving software exposure was compared to Lego TC LOGO instruction. Thirty fifth graders received either Lego LOGO instruction, which couples Lego building block activities with LOGO computer programming, or instruction with various problem-solving computer programs. Although both groups showed significant progress, the Lego…

A computer-assisted design (CAD) software program is used in a Connecticut school district to graphically provide information on maintenance projects by school and category of project over time. CAD supplies a computerized building plan, a "foot-print," used as a recordkeeping system for maintenance projects. (MLF)

Compares results of traditional Boolean searching with those of Freestyle, LEXIS/NEXIS's natural language application. Study found that though the Boolean searches had better results more often, neither method demonstrated superior performance for every query, suggesting that different queries demand different techniques. Concludes that further…

Describes three different pricing models for software. Findings of this case study support the proposition that software pricing is a complex and subjective process. The key determinant of alignment between vendor and user is the nature of value in the software to the buyer. This value proposition may range from increased cost reduction to…

Evaluates three commercial computer-based language translation programs' translation of a university social sciences telephone survey from English to Spanish. The three programs, "Spanish Scholar,""Spanish Assistant," and "Spanish Amigo," were rated as unacceptable in their quality of translations by native and near-native Spanish speakers. (nine…

Explains that children have a better sense of environmental awareness and introduces the EarthCare Interactive software that is designed for preschoolers to fourth graders. Briefly describes how to navigate in EarthCare and describes four other software packages: "Job City Literature Connections,""Perfect Landing,""Classroom Occupation," and…

Describes the pioneering development of flexible learning courseware in the teaching and learning of cell biology. Uses a novel optical-disk-based technology for the storage and retrieval of photographic images. Discusses new interactive technologies that are available to the teacher. Presents the results of a trial and evaluation of the PhotoCD…

Describes "Focus," a software tool for collecting reader comments more efficiently. Discusses the design and rationale of the software. Notes that results obtained using Focus were compared to the reader feedback collected under the plus-minus method. Concludes that Focus participants appeared to comment more from a reviewer's and less…

CEPIAH is a method and a proposal for a Web-based system to be used to assist teachers in designing multimedia documents and in evaluating their prototypes. The proposed tool integrates two modules: one for the Evaluation of Multimedia Pedagogical and Interactive software (EMPI), and the other, a method for designing pedagogical hypermedia…

This article offers a critique of knowledge management. The critique is empirically based on the case study of a Danish software production company's (A-Soft) knowledge management strategy of implementing an information technology (IT) tool known as 'knowledge centre' (KC). The article argues: (1) the discourses on knowledge and learning informing…

Stephen Downes continues his examination of open source learning management systems (LMSs) with a visit to Sakai's Web site. While Sakai's Web site is not particularly easy to navigate, it provides access to a large community and constellation of related online learning products and initiatives. Visitors can visit discussion forums to ask…

Software complexity is the most important software quality attribute and a very useful instrument in the study of software quality. Is one of the factors that affect most of the software quality characteristics, including maintainability. It is very important to quantity this influence and identify the means to keep it under control; by using…

"DaisyQuest" is a software bundle that offers computer-assisted instruction in phonological awareness, targeting children aged three to seven years (or preschool to second grade). The instructional activities, framed in a fairy tale involving a search for a friendly dragon named Daisy, teach children how to recognize words that rhyme;…