This second article in a three-part series on 3M's Optical Videodisc Project deals with technical considerations involved in preparing premaster videotapes for laser videodisc mastering and replication. Premastering requirements at four levels of interactivity and considerations when transferring source materials from videotape and film are…

This book presents a guide to the concept of universal design, the design of products and environments to be usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages and abilities/disabilities. Chapters 1 and 2 present a brief history of universal design and examine the spectrum of human abilities. Chapter 3 addresses the seven principles of…

Presents a model of instructional games and learning that elaborates key features of games that are of interest from an instructional perspective; the game cycle of user judgments, behavior, and feedback; and types of learning outcomes that can be achieved. Discusses implications for the design and implementation of effective instructional games.…

The development of safety-critical systems (aircraft cockpits and reactor control rooms) is qualitatively different from that of other interactive systems. These differences impose burdens on design teams that must ensure the development of human-machine interfaces. Analyzes strengths and weaknesses of formal methods for the design of user…

Outlines research showing different ways that information is used in the decision-making process at high levels in organizations. Patterns of executive information use are described, including conceptual, instrumental, tactical, symbolic, and political use; and implications for the design of information systems that support decision making are…

Describes XML (extensible markup language), a new language classification submitted to the World Wide Web Consortium that is defined in terms of both SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), specifically designed for the Internet. Limitations of PDF (Portable Document Format) files for electronic journals…

Discusses multimedia Web site design that may include images, animations, audio, and video. Highlights include interfaces that stress user-centered design; using only relevant media; placing high-demand content on secondary pages and keeping the home page simpler; providing information about the media; considering users with disabilities; and user…

Describes the design and development of a Web-based knowledge management system that is used by the Department of Energy. Discusses the theoretical foundation; system design; system requirements, including matching capabilities to categories of knowledge; prototype development; representative user survey; and future directions. (Author/LRW)

Describes some of the factors that affect computer monitor display design and provides suggestions and insights into how screen displays can be designed more effectively. Topics include color, font choices, organizational structure of text, space outline, and general principles. (Author/LRW)

This feature article has two goals. The first is to muse about the role of style and styling in the world of design and designing. The second is to present a project with which to engage students in several aspects of industrial design. This brief has been developed to use it either solely as a research activity or as a combined research and…

The basic dilemma in creating performance spaces in secondary schools is that such spaces often must serve multiple functions. Ideally, there should be three different spaces: one to present dramas; another for musical performances; and a third for assemblies--lectures, movies, political and community events. Often, the unsatisfactory solution to…

Distance learning generally separates students from educators, and demands that interventions be put in place to counter the constraints that this distance poses to learners and educators. Furthermore "Increased number of students in Higher Education and the corresponding increase in time spent by staff on assessment has encouraged interest…

In today"s economy, public university administrators need to reflect on current practices for reporting and projecting space requirements to government entities as the cost of constructing new facilities or renovating space rises while income from legislative appropriations diminishes. As stewards of public buildings and funds, institutions…

As part of their course, the authors were asked to teach a mathematics lesson to a class of Y6 pupils. Since they did not know the pupils, they felt that the theme of the session was of the utmost importance, so they chose something which they hoped would stimulate the pupils' imagination and entice them into the session. They wanted to use…

Universal design for assessments is an approach to educational assessment based on principles of accessibility for a wide variety of end users. Elements of universal design include inclusive test population; precisely defined constructs; accessible, non-biased items; tests that are amenable to accommodations; simple, clear and intuitive…