Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

The provision of network access, resources, and services to members of the academic community is becoming an area of utmost interest and importance to academic administrators, faculty, and students. As the demand from network users grows rapidly, many network administrators are asking for resources to meet that demand; their requests are being met with questions about the costs, uses, and effects of networking at their institutions. In most cases, the information required to answer those questions is not available, nor are the tools with which to collect that information. This investigation attempts to characterize the current state of networking in academic institutions and to identify and develop tools and approaches to assess academic networking. Data was collected primarily through focus groups, interviews with individuals and small groups, and site visits to selected academic institutions. The primary method of data analysis was content analysis. Results of the study indicate: (1) there are multiple barriers to the assessment of academic networking; (2) there is little current assessment of academic networking; (3) there is an interest in assessment of academic networking and a need for assessment tools and techniques; and (4) among the tools and techniques desired are guidelines for conducting qualitative assessments, a set of quantitative measures, and a user survey instrument. (Contains 94 references.) (Author/SWC)

Many people in higher education are looking to networked resources and services when formulating strategies for addressing the pursuits of learning, teaching, research, and community service. Sometimes it may be difficult to determine if users are seeing the same things or the "right" things. This manual provides a set of tools for assessing the academic networked environment, not necessarily a strict blueprint for evaluation. It discusses benchmarking, focus groups, site visits, and other techniques for collecting and using qualitative data. Ways in which network activity can be measured are also discussed; assessment can involve counting registered users, costs, telecommunications "traffic," and use of computers and applications. Costs and usage of network services--online public library catalogs, campuswide information services, and distance education--as well as support services are also typical targets for assessment. A sample user survey related to these topics is provided, along with appendixes that offer self-assessment tools, data collection forms, information on software that measures network services and applications, and information technology surveys. (Contains 39 references.) (BEW)

1Lincoln's Yarns and Stories

By Alexander K. McClure

“A Complete Collection of the Funny and Witty Anecdotes that made Abraham Lincoln Famous as America’s Greatest Story Teller With Introduction and Anecdotes.” (Book subtitle) This 1901 collection was compiled by Alexander McClure (1828-1909), a politician, newspaper editor, and writer from Pennsylvania. He was a prominent supporter and biographer of Abraham Lincoln. - Summary by Book Subtitle and David Wales