Outcomes of a project designed to develop the knowledge base necessary for creating an expert system that would help nonprofit organizations select fund-raising software are presented in this paper. When the system is completed, its components will ask the user for information that will assist in determining the organization's administrative needs…

A study focused on identifying what resources social studies teachers (n=120) were using in their classrooms for the benefit of their students as well as identifying experiential learning resources on the Internet, in software programs, and in central Virginia. Studies were reviewed to determine the effects of experiential learning on students.…

This report summarizes the problems schools are encountering as they try to use data to gauge the effectiveness of standards-based education, accountability efforts, and school reform. It provides an overview of the education market, discusses the strengths and weaknesses of available software, and describes systems used by 19 states. The article…

Librarians everywhere are struggling with the difficult issue of whether Internet content can or should be limited in library settings. This book discusses Internet content filters as tools with performance issues. The book does not debate whether Internet filters are good or bad. Rather, it presents basic factual information about filtering…

This paper addresses the lack of evaluative resources for computer-assisted reading and writing instruction (CARWI). It begins by discussing the benefits, drawbacks, and effectiveness of computer-based instruction. It then describes types of CARWI packages, including: (1) writing process software; (2) electronic handbooks; (3) interactive…

This article is a primer for educators hoping to choose instructional software for their classrooms. The following four basic principles that all quality educational software has in common are discussed: (1) an adherence to learning theory, including behavioral and cognitive theory; (2) employment of gaming features; (3) culturally sensitive…

This article describes five organizational Web sites that are good resources in selecting and using software with children who have special needs. The sites represent the DO-IT project, the Trace Research and Development Center, Special Needs Opportunity Windows, the Family Center on Technology and Disability, and the National Center for…

Presents guidelines for selecting World Wide Web search engines. Real-life questions were used to test six search engines. Queries sought company information, product reviews, medical information, foreign information, technical reports, and current events. Compares performance and features of AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, Infoseek, Lycos, and Open…

Reviews research on gender differences in learning styles, software, curriculum, and classroom layout. Gives suggestions as to how teachers may equalize disparity through teacher training. (MG)

Presents an overview of Disk Operating System (DOS)-based computer-supported collaborative work group writing tools. Suggests a framework to classify group writing tools. (RS)

Reviews research on and recommends the use of computer-assisted instruction for remediation of grammar and punctuation skills. Gives recommendations for journalism schools planning to begin such a program. Presents guidelines for suitable computer software and reviews appropriate and inappropriate software. (SR)

This article offers guidelines for evaluating and selecting appropriate software for use with gifted children and examines the advantages and limitations of computer-assisted instruction with this population. (DB)

Provides a list, organized by company, of access software appropriate for special education users, and general software such as productivity tools and educational and recreational software. Sidebars include: software accessibility features to consider; the Alliance for Technology and Access; and contacts for publishers and special education…

Describes easy-to-use, easy-to-learn dedicated graphics packages for developing slide presentations shown directly from computers. A general description of the features of five packages and suggestions for software selection are provided. A sidebar provides graphics tips, such as the use of color, typefaces, and formatting, for developing…

Describes the process used to select a local area network (LAN) for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Library and Information Science. The use of computers at the library school by staff, faculty, and students is described, technical aspects of a LAN are explained, and the future of LANs is discussed. (LRW)