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The first stage of a study on the potential for collaborative development in library automation involved a study of more than 150 recent reports and papers, and visits to library sites in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, West Germany, and the United States. Systems models were advanced to provide a basis for testing development proposals. Further study was recommended on the following topics: (1) minicomputer based library package systems; (2) the problems of handling non-MARC materials in computerized systems; and (3) the potential for a library oriented computer language. It was concluded that cooperation in library automation is both practical and desirable. (Author/EMH)

Very little work has been done in the broad field of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to exploring the use of a minicomputer as another learning resource in the instructional process. Accordingly a cost-effective Learning Resource Aided Instruction (LRAI) System centered around a Data General NOVA minicomputer augmented with slide projector-audio cassette media was designed and developed at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A similar system was integrated into the educational program at California Polytechnic State University and experimentally evaluated for two courses with large enrollments. These courses were an introduction to COBOL and an introduction to BASIC, respectively. The evaluation procedure consisted of comparing the curricula of the two courses taught in a traditionally-aided instruction (TAI) mode with that taught in a LRAI mode using appropriately structured questionnaires, common examinations, and statistical analyses. The results of the evaluation strongly demonstrated that the performance of students using the LRAI approach was better than those in the TAI mode of instruction. (Author/WCM)

A computer-based system, called the FLOW system, was used in experimental studies of human learning. The student learns a simple computer language from printed instructions and can run his programs interactively on the FLOW system. An automated tutor simulates a human tutor who watches over the student and gives help when the student has difficulties. The system also records detailed protocols of the interactions among the student, the computer, the automated tutor, and the human tutor for later analysis. (Author)

In spite of the limitations of minicomputers, Western Washington State College (WWSC) has developed a useful interactive computing system based on a Model 7/32 Interdata minicomputer and the computer program, PILOT. The major disadvantages of minicomputers are the difficulty of securing maintenance and the reliance often on the single language, BASIC. Software systems are crucial and languages such as BASIC or APL are ill-suited for course-authoring for computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Cost, of course, is the principle advantage. The system at WWSC relies on a multilingual interpreter to execute programs in a constant pattern for all languages, once translated into an internal code of single byte operands and operators. PILOT has great structural simplicity but yet great versatility, and perhaps its best feature is its ability to call an already compiled BASIC subroutine. A program was written which can translate COURSEWRITER III to PILOT. The experience of WWSC indicates that a CAI system can be satisfactorily run on a minicomputer if there is access to good software. (WH)

Alternative approaches to the building of monographic bibliography files for an on-line data management system using minicomputers at the University of Minnesota Libraries' Twin Cities Campus center are described. Secondary and primary sources of the Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) II records are considered--including Blackwell-North America, Information Dynamics Corporation, BIBNET, and the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC)--as potential sources of retrospective and current MARC II records. File overlap comparisons and a sample of the University of Minnesota Libraries, Twin Cities Campus Union Catalog are included. In addition, methods of partial retrospective conversion and costs of using other bibliographic files in machine readable form are presented--specifically the University of Chicago Library, the University of California at Berkeley, and the New York Public Library Research Libraries files. Cost-effectiveness analyses of the various alternatives are presented. (Author/DGC)

Selection and specification of a minicomputer time-sharing system to extend computer facilities for large scale computer-based instruction projects at the University of Texas at Austin are described. Two and a half years of implementation and operating experience are summarized followed by seven specific course applications of the minicomputer. Operating costs for the minicomputer and detailed and personnel requirements and functions are described for this system. The user subroutine and the usage accounting system are appended. (Author/CH)

With emphasis on currently operating and planned systems that assist users in accessing available network services, this report identifies the techniques used in network access devices. By examining these devices, the trend toward improving the interface between the user and the computer is brought more clearly into focus and up to date. One specific solution--A Network Access Machine (NAM)--is described in detail. It is a minicomputer system that acts as a network access point for a user at his terminal, and assists the user through the automatic execution of access procedures. It allows the user to specify (or to have specified) his own network command sequences for execution on a specified network and host. Computer responses are analyzed to assure agreement with those anticipated for specific commands. Conditional parameterized expansions allow the use of the same command on different host computers and different networks. (Author/DAG)

The Voice Interactive Analysis System study continued research and development of the LISTEN real-time, minicomputer based connected speech recognition system, within NAVTRAEQUIPCEN'S program of developing automatic speech technology in support of training. An attempt was made to identify the most effective features detected by the TTI-500 model speech preprocessor, and objective measures were used to demonstrate the presence of, and to evaluate, the various types of information used in LISTEN. Interword timing and structural peculiarities were the two most useful information sources for the two speakers investigated. Critical examination of the statistical models of the information sources revealed several ways to simplify and improve the LISTEN algorithm. Users manuals for analysis programs and for voice reference data generation programs are appended. (Author/CMV)

To determine if computer technology could improve shipboard instruction and training, an Automated Shipboard Instruction and Management System (ASIMS) was used for computer managed instruction (CMI) about the USS GRIDLEY during 1975-76. ASIMS comprised a NOVA 1200 minicomputer with support peripherals, a Computer Integrated Instruction (CII) system in General Damage Control (GDC), and a Shipboard Training Administration System (STAS). CII GDC provided offline instruction integrated with online computer testing, diagnostics, and prescriptives. STAS provided a generalized File Management and Information Retrieval System (FMS) that facilitated control of shipboard files, records, and reports. Posttest scores indicated that graduates of the CMI course significantly outperformed groups trained under conventional shipboard methods. Results also showed that CMI is technically and operationally feasible aboard ship, and commercial, off-the-shelf minicomputer systems can support both a CMI capability and limited nontactical ADP functions. A cost-effectiveness study was beyond the scope of the project. Project and technical supports are listed, as are references. (Author/LLS)

This article describes and evalutes the IBM System 7 automated circulation system in use at Slippery Rock State College Library since 1973. Background information is furnished on the library and its locale as well as the general rationale and objectives for automated circulation systems. The presentation of the IBM S/7 includes (1) reasons for its selection; (2) transaction descriptions of charge, discharge, reserve, manual operations, and override; (3) descriptions of reports and lists such as daily circulation, overdue, fines, statistical summaries, and special printouts; (4) descriptions of hardware and software; (5) historical developments; (6) evaluation of the system and its components; (7) enumeration of system problems; (8) considerations for future development; and (9) costs. This seven-year review serves to summarize a stage in automated library systems. Appendices provide details of operating features, statistical data, reports, and sample forms. (Author/RAA)

This report details the research and development effort to examine the feasibility of teaching the phonics segment of the Navy's Academic Remedial Training program by computer driven voice synthesizer. The criterion for feasibility was that the computer-assisted course produce ART graduates who read as well as students who receive a comparable amount of classroom phonics instruction. Twenty-four students were given the special instruction on a multimedia system that included a minicomputer, viewing consoles, response entry keyboards, and a voice synthesizer. When compared to the control group, the students in the computer-assisted course did as well as those in the classroom, but no better. The 24 subjects were then integrated back into the classroom group where they performed as well in the remainder of the course as their fellows in the control group. Since student performance in the CAI program produced a match, the phonics segment of the ART program is a success and is a candidate for automation. (Author/RAA)

The needs of Saddleback College for computer facilities were assessed to develop a master plan for an integrated data processing system that would satisfy both student educational needs and the administrative needs of the community college district. An analysis of computer facilities indicated that each individual division of the college had computer systems dedicated to its own needs, which resulted in duplication of equivalent hardware and software. The following alternatives were studied: purchase of a large main frame computer system; development of such a system from the NCR Century 200 System; and development of a distributive computer system which would consist of a number of minicomputers, located in one area or throughout the district, that would be connected with each other via telephone lines or hand wires. Based on the results of the study, a decentralized approach with physical separation between administrative and educational computer systems was recommended as the overall goal of the district. Specific recommendations for the immediate future involved making major decisions about upgrading the NCR Century 200 System and ways to get maximum advantage from the Data General Eclipse C150, and the purchase of a minicomputer system for administrative functions. (Author/MER)

A functional design model for a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) system was developed and presented through a series of hierarchy plus input-process-output (HIPO) diagrams. System functions were translated into system structure: specifically, into 34 software components. Implementation of the design in a physical system was addressed through brief discussions of hardware, software, interfaces, and personnel requirements. Further steps in CAT system development were identified, including design testing, evaluation, and refinement. Both micro- and mini-computer-based hardware configurations were evaluated and found capable of supporting test administration and station monitoring. The functional design model and the system structure specified in this report were recommended for the Department of Defense CAT system. (Author)

A survey of 3,581 rehabilitation facilities was conducted to determine their extent of computer use. Completed surveys were returned by 1,586 (44 percent) of the facilities, of which 864 (54 percent of the respondents) are using computers. The users indicated that computers are most frequently used for administrative purposes, whereas production and rehabilitation services uses are much less frequent. A number of statistical analyses were significant. It was found that the facilities that are currently using computers are much larger in terms of the number of clients they serve, the number of employees, and the size of their annual budgets. The users also provide a wider variety of rehabilitation services than the nonusers. Almost one-half of the current computer users own a microcomputer, one-quarter own a minicomputer, and only a few own a mainframe computer. There were sizeable differences in the costs of purchasing and operating these three classes of computers. However, there was no difference in terms of user satisfaction between the three classes of computer users. The results indicated that there is a substantial need for both customized software and for short-term training on how to use computers effectively in facilities. It was also found that the use and ownership of computers by facilities is likely to rise dramatically in the near future. Most of the facilities that will be acquiring a new computer system will be purchasing a microcomputer. (Author/KC)

The purpose of this paper is to examine what is known about the costs and cost-effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) by presenting an appropriate cost methodology, applying it to CAI, and exploring the validity of four popular assumptions. These assumptions are: (1) that computer hardware accounts for most of the cost of delivering CAI; (2) that drastic declines in future costs of computers will create similar reductions in CAI; (3) that networks of microcomputers used for CAI are less costly than minicomputers with similar capabilities; and (4) that CAI has been found to be more cost effective than other instructional alternatives. The first three assumptions are directly contradicted by the available evidence. With respect to cost-effectiveness in raising student achievement in mathematics and reading, CAI was found to be more cost-effective than reducing class size, increasing the length of the school day, or adult tutoring, but considerably less cost-effective than peer tutoring. A bibliography of 11 citations is appended. (Author/MLF)

This report comprises a detailed evaluation of two minicomputer-based school information management systems for use at the senior high school level: (1) Prompt Automated Scheduling System (PASS) by Mid-American Corporation and locally developed software, which runs on an IBM minicomputer, and (2) Student Administration System (SAS) by SIERRA Software Systems, Inc., which runs on the Digital Equipment VAX family of computers. These two systems were evaluated against six major factors, each defined by a detailed and comprehensive set of criteria: product scope and function, ease of use, technical considerations, support and services, product qualifications, and vendor. All key system capabilities were tested as they related to database creation and maintenance, prescheduling, scheduling, transition to operational status (and semester turnover), attendance recording and reporting, progress recording and reporting, report generation, and utility functions. Each product evaluation describes the testing environment and conditions, lists evaluation results and observations, and summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Evaluation data are then summarized and compared first from the senior and then from the junior high school perspective. Results indicate that considerable development work is required for both systems to realize complete school information management systems, and that these minicomputer-based systems are not suitable for use by individual schools. Six appendixes are included: the general questionnaire from which the criteria were derived, the interview guide and detailed checklist, the detailed scoring comparison form, Mid-American PASS screen and program functions, IBM 4341 to VAS 11/725 data transfer, and recent system developments. (TE)

This report discusses the characteristics, operations, and automation requirements of technical libraries providing services to organizations involved in aerospace and defense scientific and technical work, and describes the Local Automation Model project. This on-going project is designed to demonstrate the concept of a fully integrated library system for technical libraries, combining local library functions with capabilities for participation in a Department of Defense (DoD) bibliographic network. The environment and characteristics of bibliographic networks are described; the automated system capabilities required for network participation are considered; and microcomputers are discussed as cost-effective yet powerful tools for exploiting bibliographic network resources. A discussion of the Local Automation Model project highlights the project background and environment, system concept demonstration, and prototype testing of the minicomputer- and microcomputer-based versions. Future development plans include production system acquisition, expanded gateway access, a common command language, reduction of manual effort, full-text and optical disk technology, and indexing standardization and controlled vocabulary. A list of related journal articles and a list of library software, vendors, and reviews of library software conclude the document. (KM)