While states have made tremendous progress building the capacity to collect longitudinal data, developing the systems and practices to tap into P-20W data remains a nascent effort in most states. This primer aims to provide policymakers with information and recommendations to propel states' progress toward using P-20W data to prepare…

The planning for, design, and implementation of information management systems in colleges and universities is approaching a state of adolescence as a science. Because rules cannot be devised with sufficient scope and depth to cover all institutional and systems contingencies, the necessary activities remain somewhere between magic and art. At…

Discusses the geographic information system (GIS), a database that permits the integration, management, and analysis of diverse geographical information. Reports that the GIS has brought gains in cartography and remote sensing but also has brought problems. Identifies the need to balance instruction in technical developments and mainstream…

Computerized literature searching allows the educator to become familiar with resources that help develop individual teaching styles and methods, enhance awareness of pupil needs, explain educational research and evaluation, and describe curriculum materials. This document introduces the fundamentals of computerized literature searching. The…

Describes the benefits and how to set up a georeferenced information system that contains standard student demographic data, the geographical location of each student, selected geographic location descriptors, growth factors attached to various land sections, and land usage and zoning. (MLF)

This manual on microcomputer-based database management programs provides a description of the key characteristics of database software as well as guidelines for designing a database, uses of database programs, and selecting the right software. Three sets of concepts related to database management are listed and explained: creating a database,…

The information needed for informed decision making and planning by institutions of higher education can be made available through the establishment of carefully constructed databases. This handbook outlines the characteristics of databases, the needs databases meet, the key factors around which they must be organized, the advantages they offer,…

Designing a student database to meet your school's specific recordkeeping and reporting needs is described. Setting up a data file, listing categories, and generating reports are each illustrated. (MNS)

A process for assessing the condition of nonindustrial physical plant facilities such as campuses, school systems, and office complexes is presented. Text and figures illustrating an assessment performed for the city of Seattle, Washington, include a facility management system flowchart, information records, cost estimates, and a database design.…

Since electronic networking via microcomputers is fast becoming one of the most popular communications mediums of this decade, this manual is designed to help educators use personal computers as communication devices. The purpose of the document is to acquaint the reader with: (1) the many available communications options on electronic networks;…

This guide is intended to aid Maryland educators in using Project LIFE (Library Information Functional Exchange), an information retrieval system designed to strengthen the resource base of the State Media Services Center, to support school library personnel by providing access to pertinent information which is not available in local resources,…

This compilation of miscellaneous information about the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC) was designed as a reference tool for SMERC linking agents, i.e., SMERC-trained personnel responsible for explaining their center's information services to subscribing agencies. It contains SMERC subscription information: listings of resources and…

A public utility company uses laser wands to read bar-coded labels on furniture and equipment. The system allows an 80 percent savings of the time required to create reports for inventory control. (MLF)

Prepared to introduce the user to advanced scientific and technical information services and systems (STI/SS), this guide emphasizes computer searches, helping the user to set the bounds of his or her problem, to define the way the literature is stored in the computer, and to develop an improved problem statement with which to enter the computer.…

Describes three career education data bases and systems as examples of what is available to the school media specialist involved in the structure of time, space, and resources to create a program of instruction geared to the personalized needs of students and teachers. (Author/CMV)