Use of a Technology-Mediated Learning Instructional Approach For Teaching an Introduction to Information Technology Course

Several years ago, Ives and Jarvenpaa (1996, p. 34) suggested: To many, the Internet technologies resemble the personal computer revolution of the early 1980s, which transformed information management. Today, while educational institutions continue to expand the instructional use of the Internet and web-based technologies, there remains much to be learned about the effectiveness of various technology-mediated learning approaches. Various formats for course designs that use technology are being tried and are commonly referred to today as e-courses. Similarly, student learning constitutes increasing degrees of technology use as part of the course. This paper provides information on using the Internet and web-based technologies as part of an instructional design. The Introduction to Information Technology course upon which the paper is based features an approach that both exemplifies the benefits of using technology while maintaining the richness of a class setting. Student reactions to the course conclude the paper

Ralph: A Visible/Infrared Imager for the New Horizons Pluto/Kuiper Belt Mission

The New Horizons instrument named Ralph is a visible/near infrared multi-spectral imager and a short wavelength infrared spectral imager. It is one of the core instruments on New Horizons, NASA's first mission to the Pluto/Charon system and the Kuiper Belt. Ralph combines panchromatic and color imaging capabilities with IR imaging spectroscopy. Its primary purpose is to map the surface geology and composition of these objects, but it will also be used for atmospheric studies and to map the surface temperature. It is a compact, low-mass (10.5 kg), power efficient (7.1 W peak), and robust instrument with good sensitivity and excellent imaging characteristics. Other than a door opened once in flight, it has no moving parts. These characteristics and its high degree of redundancy make Ralph ideally suited to this long-duration flyby reconnaissance mission.Comment: 18 pages, 15 figures, 4 tables; To appear in a special volume of Space Science Reviews on the New Horizons missio

Open Knowledge Creation: Bringing Transparency and Inclusiveness to the Peer Review Process

The peer review process that has been in place for many years has recognized shortcomings. The Internet provides a means for changing this process. This paper offers a more transparent and inclusive design for peer review referred to as open knowledge creation. The design proposed utilizes Google knol and group services. The open knowledge creation design consists of four stages: creation, review/revision, evaluation/adoption, and publication. It is intended to offer existing or new journals an alternative to the traditional peer review of research