In this paper, we have attempted two ambitious tasks. We have undertaken a wide-ranging survey of the Network learning (NL) literature, and tried to identify the emerging themes of this work. We have selected three of these themes, and in each case tried to identify the main theoretical perspectives in use, the main directions of the studies, and…

The article reviews the popularity in networked learning designs for values of collaboration, and in particular, of community. Examples of this are drawn from the networked learning literature, highlighting corresponding arguments for networked learning providing the basis for a more democratic ethos within higher educational programmes. The…

With increasing frequency, communities are seeing the arrival of a new class of noncommercial broadband providers: community wireless networks (CWNs). Utilizing the same wireless technologies that many colleges and universities have used to create wireless networks on campus, CWNs are creating broadband access for free or at costs well below…

Technologies that may be used to search for, gather, analyze, and disseminate information during the research process are explored. Focal points are networked computer technologies and technologies for facilitating survey research. (Author)

Focuses on computer systems that support groups who complete tasks together despite separations in space, time, or variations in team size. Reviews the literature on the history of the technology, application packages, case histories, and current research, and includes a synopsis of activity in academic and commercial institutions. Contains 217…

The question explored in this report is whether electronic networks are effective tools for creating and sustaining reflective teacher communities. Over the past two decades, computer mediated communication (CMC) technologies have been used in a variety of efforts aimed at fostering teacher learning and teacher collaboration. A study sought to…

Describes a study that examined the communication patterns of teachers who used UNITE (Unified Network for Informatics in Teacher Education), an electronic mail system designed to encourage curricular collaboration and resource sharing. Highlights include computer-mediated communication, use of UNITE by librarians, and recommendations for…

Examines how interaction by means of computer-mediated communication affects the operation of both status differentials and power relations. Claims that power relations are reinforced in computer-mediated communications. Outlines a theoretical framework of the processes of "panoptic power" of such communications. (HB)

Examines the effects of time restriction on social interaction in computer-mediated communication through a meta-analysis of applicable research. Derives hypotheses from Joseph Walther's social information processing perspective. Supports these hypotheses on social communication. (HB)

Reviews the literature that has led to the possible transformation of scholarly publishing through electronic distribution of journals. Discusses the concepts of scholarly communication and computer mediated communication; network delivery experiments; CD-ROM delivery projects; acceptance by the scholarly community; and research and development.…

While distance education can be traced to correspondence courses that in the 19th and 20th centuries relied on mail services to transmit communications between student and teacher, it is the advent of computers networked via the Internet that has dramatically affected the character of distance education. For the purposes of this paper, distance…

This paper proposes a user-centered framework for intranet design that is based on an understanding of people, their typical problems, information behaviors, and situated contexts. It is argued that by adopting such an approach, intranets can be designed which facilitate organizational information access and use. The first section of the paper…

This paper synthesizes current thought about the role of networking technologies in instruction and addresses the need for higher education to create affordable and flexible student-centered "distributed learning environments" employing networking technologies. First, relevant trends are identified in the areas of information volume, technology…

This brochure provides teachers, students, and parents with information on how to connect to a computer network; describes some of the education offerings available to network users; and offers hints to help make exploration of computer networks easy and successful. The brochure explains the equipment needed to connect to a computer network; ways…

This report, in support of the project "Enhanced Learning through Electronic Communities," investigated successful practices of electronic communities. A literature review was conducted and a survey was sent to 15 system operators of networks that had a community-based focus with ancillary educational components and networks that focused primarily…