Higher learning has seen an increase in web-based distance education programs, which coincides with advancements made in educational technologies. As these programs are on the rise, it becomes increasingly more important to ensure that instructional designers are prepared to accommodate the needs of these academic institutions. Developing a…

The use of mobile technology for learning in organizations and the workplace is spreading widely with the development of infrastructure and devices that allow ubiquitous learning and training. Since learning, teaching, and training in a mobile-saturated environment is a developing field, implications for a combined overview of these topics may be…

This article proposes a methodology to create a multimodal corpus that can be shared with a group of researchers in order to analyze synchronous online pedagogical interactions. Epistemological aspects involved in studying online interactions from a multimodal and semiotic perspective are addressed. Then, issues and challenges raised by corpus…

The perpetual connectivity made possible by twenty-first-century technology has profoundly affected instruction and learning. Emerging technologies that upend traditional notions of communication and community also influence the ways we design and evaluate instruction and how we understand learning and learning environments. In "Instruction and…

This paper reviews past research that focused on questions of culture in distance learning. Of specific interest are the studies that examined the influence of culture on students' learning and engagement in asynchronous learning networks (ALNs). The purpose of this review is three-fold: to present the state of knowledge concerning the questions…

The Internet and growth of computer networks have eliminated geographic barriers, creating an environment where education can be brought to a student no matter where that student may be. The success of distance learning programs and the availability of many Web-supported applications and multimedia resources have increased the effectiveness of…

The Center for Distance Learning of Empire State College (New York) is piloting online study by offering a course in contemporary American diplomacy entirely through the use of computer conferencing and electronic mail. The computer is used to create a learning environment where course participants can interact with each other and with the…

This book provides information for researchers and practitioners on the current issues and best practices associated with electronic learning communities. Fourteen contributed chapters include: "Interactive Online Educational Experiences: E-volution of Graded Projects" (James Benjamin); "Hybrid Courses as Learning Communities"…

Substance abuse is pervasive in both rural and urban settings. Previous attempts to educate America's youth as to its dangers have not reduced the numbers of adolescents involved in the drug culture. The assertiveness-based "Just Say No" campaign attempts to counter peer pressure to use drugs, but is hampered by our society's…

Although computers are used for administrative purposes and for grading in correspondence course programs throughout the United States, there has been little application to date of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in these programs. A survey was sent to 899 former students in Indiana University's high school independent study program to…

Discussion of the development of professional development software for special education teachers reviews the literature to (1) consolidate the database of literature regarding professional development software; (2) examine the degree to which the described software has been comprehensively evaluated; and (3) provide suggestions for future…

Describes 10 educational functions of computer conferencing for undergraduate and graduate students based on the CoSy system at the University of Guelph. Influences on student behavior are examined, the importance of adequate training is stressed, and guidelines for the use of conferencing are given, including use in distance education.…

The problem of pacing distance learning students is discussed together with suggested pacing methods: insertion of questions in text of study guides; short-term, regular assignments; tutorial letters; audiocassette and videotape usage; and computer assisted instruction. (MBR)

Describes the development of a computer-assisted college course in group performance skills (GPS) which was designed to expand the instructor's ability to monitor development of individual performance skills and assess their influence on the group output. Computer-mediated communication is explained, and its implications for distance education are…

Describes design and production of the award-winning software used to control Great Britain's Open University Materials Science videodisc, the Teddy Bear Disc, which is used to teach undergraduate students about materials engineering. The disc is designed for use in one-week sessions, which students attend in July or August. (MBR)