This book examines the intersection of information technologies, power, people, and bodies. It explores how information technologies are on a path of creating efficiency, productivity, profitability, surveillance, and control, and looks at the ways in which human-machine interface technologies, such as wearable computers, biometric technologies,…

This paper compares and discusses the results from two user studies of interactive television (ITV) with a total of 50 subjects. The interfaces of two different ITV information services were studied: one with a place-like interface rich in graphics, animation and audio, and the other a simple interface with text and still images. In the first…

Introduces five articles in a special journal issue devoted to research about, design of, and use of multimodal interfaces. Article highlights include: algebra instruction; presentation of data summaries; interaction with complex spatial displays (maps); access to computing for the visually impaired; and design for portable devices for use in…

Introduces a multiagent architecture based on the blackboard system that enables different processes that perform multimodal presentation planning to communicate with each other. Describes a constraint propagation mechanism that transfers plan constraints from one level of the presentation planning process to the next. Discusses the cooperation…

Describes the use of a computer-linked camera to demonstrate Coulomb's law. Suggests a way of reducing the difficulties in presenting Coulomb's law by teaching the inverse square law of gravity and the inverse square law of electricity in the same unit. (AIM)

Presents an evaluation instrument for evaluating instructional multimedia programs. Highlights include the need to evaluate; an illustrated example; and instructions for filling out the instrument that includes compatibility for hardware and software; instructional design issues, including content and audience definition; and interface, including…

Discusses the application of computer based training (CBT) to human-computer interface design. Describes course considerations; courseware; and software environment for practice, and presents a case study outlining small group production of interactive guidebooks. Concludes that CBT can reduce instructional time and is an effective method for…

Discusses electronic learning and what makes it different from learning in traditional classrooms. Topics include information architecture; user interface design; the importance of focusing on content; constructivism; self-directed learning; learning motivation; reflective approach; learning styles; and experiential learning. (LRW)

Provides an overview of the development of electronic resources over the past three decades, discussing key features, disadvantages, and benefits of traditional online databases and CD-ROM and Web-based resources. Considers the decision to shift collections and resources toward purely digital formats, ownership of content, licensing, and user…

Reviews the development of research and evaluation in information retrieval. Highlights include the Cranfield projects concerning recall and precision, the Medlars experiment that focused on relevance, TREC (Text Retrieval Conference), evaluation versus understanding, interface versus functionality, document length, and terms and user interaction.…

Describes a simple computer-interfaced experiment for recording the response of an RC network to direct current and square input signals. Undertakes a systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis for the high- and low-pass configurations. Suggests some examples of open-ended problems to develop a feel for circuit behavior. (AIM)

Describes the ARTEMIS Digital Library (ADL), created by researchers and software designers from the fields of education, computer science, and library and information science to help middle and high school students access science-related materials. Explains the three components, including the library, the Web interface, and the scaffolds based on…

Examines a selection of innovative search tools that attempt to solve specific problems in searching. Topics include search difficulties, including controlled vocabularies and keyword searching; retrieval issues, including relevancy ranking; document discrimination problems; creating search tools for specific audiences; and interface design,…

Discussion of user interfaces to information retrieval systems focuses on interfaces that incorporate thesauri as part of their searching and browsing facilities. Discusses research literature related to information searching behavior, information retrieval interface evaluation, search term selection, and query expansion; and compares thesaurus…

Discusses a laboratory course to familiarize mechanical engineering students in the use of electronics and computers. Describes the objectives, laboratory facilities, lecture topics, projects, and laboratory exercises for the course. (YP)