During early accreditation visits by the Australian Medical Council (AMC), staff in the School of Medicine (SoM) were asked to demonstrate how and when AMC student outcome statements were being integrated into the MBBS course. As a result, the School Executive committed to developing a curriculum mapping system (CMS) that could systematically…

This paper examines the Regent University Library's effort to reach online students by incorporating online library workshops using the Live Classroom software from Horizon Wimba. The paper explains the need for synchronous online library instruction which arose from the university's changing clientele and curriculum. It also analyzes participant…

This article describes a study on the module-based online professional development project. The professional development model providing a basis for the Reading CEU (continuing education unit) Module Project involved four groups of stakeholders: master teacher instructors, module participants, module developers, and the university support team.…

The design of instructional text is an important consideration when attempting to design a successful learning environment. With the rising involvement in online distance education, it is becoming even more important to adhere to good principles of text design. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework of possible instructional systems…

Since the usefulness of the Interservice Procedures for Instructional Systems Development (IPISD) depends on authoring aids which enable personnel to translate IPISD procedures into instructional products, this project examined the feasibility of providing such "how to do it" guidance for the instructional design and development tasks…

Presents the case that evaluation is an essential element of successful distance education programs. Uses a synthesis of the program evaluation and distance education research literature to form a framework for conducting evaluations of online programs. Evaluators should assess student performance, determine program and cost effectiveness, monitor…

Examines the issue of accessibility in online learning environments (OLEs). Presents characteristics of "differently-abled" learners. Examines accessible and inaccessible elements of the learning environment. Presents relatively quick and simple usability testing techniques. Explores reasons why developers and providers should be concerned with…

The higher education environment is currently being revolutionized by the challenge of online course offerings. Many obstacles stand ready to confront those instructors who are faced with the task of utilizing this new instructional environment. The instructional aspects of Web-based learning are often viewed as secondary to the technical issues…

The California History/Social Science Project is using an action research model to investigate the use of online discourse in professional development and K-12 History/Social Science classrooms. There are three goals--to investigate ways of enhancing students' historical thinking and understanding; to use technology to manifest methodologies and…

Three years of developing an online course, responding to student needs, technological advances, communication issues, campus policies and politics, and an assortment of other issues taught the authors of this paper many lessons about Web-based instruction at the university. Experience indicated that prior to committing a course to online…

This paper is a report on an ongoing project at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada) to implement and evaluate prototype online delivery systems for graduate and undergraduate courses. In the hands of instructors who are good teachers, with course designs that are effective and adapted to course material and learners, and with adequate…