This paper presents ongoing research at the University of Hertfordshire on the use of computer-adaptive tests (CATs) in Higher Education. A software prototype based on Item Response Theory has been developed and is described here. This application was designed to estimate the level of proficiency in English for those students whose first language…

This collection of 33 conference papers and 10 abstracts provides a critical assessment of the current applications of interactive multimedia in museums, an analysis of museum requirements, and an exploration of technology issues. Two papers discuss the parallel attributes of museums and software technology and the possibilities of the virtual…

This document lists sources useful for academic reference and instruction librarians who are concerned with assisting and teaching novice or non-professional end-user searchers. The bibliography is organized in two lists: complete bibliographic citations and subject listing of references. The types of sources listed include journal articles,…

The Unified Network of Informatics in Teacher Education (UNITE) is intended to establish a cooperative environment for exchanging ideas and computing resources among school administrators, teachers, interns (student teachers), and teacher educators who are separated by physical distances. A primary objective of the initial phase was to investigate…

The design issues involved in the effective use of computer-mediated communication in a multimedia distance education environment are examined, with particular reference to recent and current initiatives at the Open University in Great Britain. A description of the components of the Open University's electronic campus (the conferencing system and…

This paper provides an overview of past research on training employees for computer-mediated work. Recent literature is reviewed and critically analyzed using a four-part framework of individual differences and skill acquisition: sociodemographic factors, abilities and motivation, task constraints, and the man-technology interface. Furthermore, a…

In order to build robust natural language processing systems that can detect and recover from miscommunication, the investigation of how people communicate and how they recover from problems in communication described in this artificial intelligence report focused on reference problems which a listener may have in determining what or whom a…

The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), an organization charged with providing information services to the Department of Defense (DoD) scientific and technical community, actively seeks ways to promote access to and utilization of scientific and technical information (STI) databases, online services, and networks relevant to the conduct…

Formal educational environments often provide less support for learning than do the everyday environments available to young children. This paper considers the concept of idealized learning environments, defined as "Havens." Various components of Havens are discussed that may facilitate comprehension, especially in science instruction.…

The papers in this proceedings consider ways in which user friendly interface design may be used to make online systems in public and academic libraries easier to use, and thus more attractive to potential users. A short introduction by F. W. Lancaster is followed by nine papers: (1) "Linking the Unlinkable" (Michael Gorman); (2)…

This report presents examples of Rand's current research in the information sciences and illustrates the application of information science tools to specific policy studies. The projects discussed depict Rand's success with using corporate seed money to bridge the gap between the research and development of new information science tools and…

This report for the period January 1, 1972 to June 30, l976 describes a program conducted to reach the following major objectives: (1) to develop, test, and operate a large geographically dispersed PLATO IV network; (2) to implement an educational program involving educational liaison, teacher/author training, curriculum planning, and materials…

THIS REPORT COVERS A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE DIAL ACCESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS (DAIRS), USED FOR RETRIEVING AND TRANSMITTING AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS TO CARRELS OR CLASSROOMS ELECTRONICALLY. AFTER FORMULATING A WORKING DEFINITION OF THE SUBJECT, A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND SPECIFIC SUBJECT HEADINGS FOR USE IN THE SEARCH…

The 45 papers in this collection are contributed, refereed papers submitted for publication in the proceedings of the 18th Annual Association for Educational Data Systems Convention. They cover educational applications of computers in the following areas: computer assisted instruction, computer managed instruction, instructional and learning…

This report describes an experimental system for remote direct access to files of computer-stored information which has been indexed by the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). The data base for the experiment consisted of references from a single issue of Nuclear Science Abstracts. The Special Subject Edition of UDC for Nuclear Science and…