This report describes Designer, an interactive tool for assisting with the design of two-dimensional graphic interfaces for instructional systems. The system, which consists of a color graphics interface to a mathematical simulation, provides enhancements to the Graphics Editor component of Steamer (a computer-based training system designed to aid…

Several principles of computerization are offered to help show how computers can improve efficiency. Computer buying guidelines are suggested. (DF)

Review of encyclopedias and other databases available on CD-ROM focuses on the International Encyclopedia of Education (IEE). Problems with software and hardware are described, perspectives from the computer industry are presented, the commercial potential of CD-ROMs is discussed, and a list of sources is provided. (six references) (LRW)

The discipline of software engineering can be extended in a natural way to deal with the issues raised by a systematic approach to the design of human-machine interfaces. The user should be treated as part of the system being designed and projects should be organized to take into account the current lack of a priori knowledge of user interface…

Evaluates the current state of natural language processing information retrieval systems from the user's point of view, focusing on the structure and components of the systems' help mechanisms. Topics include user/system interaction; semantic parsing; syntactic parsing; semantic mapping; and concept matching. (Author/LRW)

Shortly after a researcher arrived at a Traditional Mohawk (Iroquois) Indian community in New York State in May 1997, seven community members began using the Netscape 3.0 e-mail system with steadily increasing frequency. The researcher was interested in studying the relationship between new communication technology and identity maintenance. E-mail…

Traces the development of World Wide Web Robots and provides an overview of their main functions and workings. The focus is on search robots. Illustrations are drawn from two major search engines: AltaVista and Excite. Concludes with an examination of problems associated with the use of Web Robots and their implications for electronic publishing.…

Duquesne University's department of journalism and multimedia arts supports many of its classes with Mediasite Live, a video conferencing system that captures the output of presentation devices and streams it live to the Web, as well as recording presentations for Web streaming or recording to CD or DVD. Bill Gibbs and Erik Larson examine the…

This review of the research on subject access to library collections focuses on the problems of and prospects for improved online subject access to library collections. Summaries of the general findings of studies on library catalog use and catalog users and some reasons for the frequent failure of subject searches in library catalogs are followed…

Describes the experiences of the University of Southern California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Biomedical Library in testing MEDLINE on CD-ROM. Preparations for testing are discussed, as well as patron response to the system, measured by evaluation forms, and implications for libraries providing new technological tools for patrons. (MES)

Presents three current areas of research in human relations at Harvard University which may help solve the problems professionals face due to widespread introduction of new information technologies into the work environment. These include organizational learning, information mapping, and principled negotiation. (CT)

Discusses the distinction between cognitive effects with computers, whereby an individual's performance is redefined and upgraded during intellectual partnership with the computer, and effects of computers, whereby such partnership leaves durable and generalizable cognitive residues. Suggests two mechanisms for affecting cognition: skill…

Compares the strengths and weaknesses of four authoring systems that can be used for courseware development: (1) Quest; (2) PCD3; (3) IconAuthor; and (4) Course of Action. Evaluation procedures used to assess their power, ease of use, and productivity aids are explained; menu and icon structures are described; and interactive design implications…

Provides a structural definition of interactivity in instruction, with the goal of describing and delimiting a broad and general process. Examines the four major attributes to the concept of interactivity, and defines four additional variables that arise through the structural study of interaction. Outlines five common patterns that deal with…

One common objective of instructional multimedia products is enhancement of learning. It follows that one of the primary tasks of the interface designer is the creation of a user-interface that is motivating, interactive, intuitive and at the same time imposing as minimal as possible a cognitive load on the learner. To achieve this goal, qualities…