Since the designer of interactive materials must ensure that the learner is directed to the information that he will be expected to acquire, he must recognize the components of the delivery system employed and the process by which they interact to deliver the information. (Author/RAO)

Establishes the need for literacy in dance; and describes two dance notation systems: the Massine notation method, and the Labanotation method. The use of interactive computer graphics as a tool for both learning and interpreting dance notation is introduced. (Author/VT)

Describes the User Template Mode, a system in which a user, by means of a simple catechism, can initially select all the desired parameters and options from a set of generalized building blocks. Thereafter, he need only invoke the template to obtain his customized interactive display automatically. (Author/VT)

Examples are given of some types of interaction between viewed and museum provided by an experimental computer based nutrition exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Plans are being developed for a museum in which most of the information conveyed will appear through the use of video systems tied to a computer. (CMV)

A game that simulates stages in the innovation diffusion process and allows research into the spatial and temporal spread of innovations is reported. The characteristis of player decision-making and factors underlying variation in the spatial patterning of diffusion are also discussed.

Stresses the interrelation of the components of learning systems and analyzes the categories of costs involved, based on a life cycle assumption. The phases of human subsystem development are explored, and a basic formula is proposed to estimate costs. (VT)

Presents an overview of the IR-NLI II system, an expert interface that allows users to access online information retrieval systems and that encompasses user modeling capabilities. Highlights include the design of the system, the structure and content of stereotypes that represent typical classes of users, and construction of user models.…

Explores the fundamentals of browsing as a basis for the creation of an intelligent computer system to assist with the online retrieval of information, and describes a prototype system. The discussion covers various browsing retrieval strategies used and user reactions to the prototype. (Seven references) (Author/CLB)

Describes the inability of traditional subject index terms to represent relational information among concepts, and the development of frame based knowledge representation methods that provide relational semantic representations of documents and user queries. The discussion covers research in user interfaces and automatic document classifications,…

Discusses the feasibility and advantages of developing an enhancement for document retrieval systems that would automatically impose Boolean syntax on an input set of search terms. An online specification for such an enhancement is presented, based on experimental results using the MEDLINE database. (13 references) (CLB)

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)

The automation of online order retrieval for Chemical Abstracts Service Document Delivery Service was accomplished by shifting to an order retrieval/dispatch process linked to a Unix network. The Unix-based environment, its terminal emulation, page-break, and user-friendly interface software, and later enhancements are reviewed. Resultant increase…

The design, development and use of computer systems to support decision making within human service organizations and the conceptual background of decision support systems are discussed. (Author/BL)

Examines general technical issues involved in placing latest computer systems, operable by end users in programer-free environment, at disposal of non-English-speaking users. User environment, classification of software products (token dependent, communications intensive, language dependent), approaches to bilingual software modification,…

Examines some of the specifics of the Stanley House criteria for humanizing information systems. (IRT)