Technology threatens to shatter the world of college textbooks; CD-ROM, interactivity, PCs spread while publishers mostly just wait and see; libraries that print to order

Article Abstract:

Higher education faces a textbook revolution as CD-ROM disks and other computer-based interactive systems become more widely used. Many institutions, such as Drew University and the Cornell University veterinary school, are utilizing computer-based instruction for at least some portions of their curricula. Interactive instructive materials give students opportunities to simulate and model many activities that they would not be able to otherwise. Educational experts observe that contemporary society changes too fast for traditional textbooks to be able to keep up. Despite this sentiment, many textbook publishers are resisting the conversion to computer-based media. Paramount Communications Inc's Paramount Publishing is running several marketing campaigns to lure students into purchasing new hard-copy textbooks. The reluctance of large publishers to enter the interactive media market is giving several smaller software publishing firms the opportunity to establish themselves in the market.

Books, Publishing industry, Planning, Usage, Innovations, Universities and colleges, Curricula, College curriculum, Textbooks, Interactive computer systems, Interactive media, Curriculum, Trends, Interactive Systems, New Technique

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Electronic Encyclopedia with music, voices and words unveiled by Britannica

Article Abstract:

Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc introduces Compton's MultiMedia Encyclopedia, with entries that include text as well as graphics and sound. For example, some of Mozart's music is included under the entry for Mozart. Compton compresses 26 volumes of the encyclopedia along with music, speeches and animation onto a compact read-only-memory (CD-ROM) disk. The product will be available, for schools, libraries and corporations, at $795 per disk, requiring an IBM microcomputer or compatible, plus a CD-ROM player and other video and sound equipment. The disk is geared to children 8 to 18, with emphasis on geography and history. Typing skills are not necessary because children can pick items by moving a pointing arrow.

Prepackaged software, Technology application, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., Multimedia software, Sound processing, Encyclopedias and dictionaries, Product Introduction, product announcement, Encyclopedia, Compton's MultiMedia Encyclopedia (Electronic publication)

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