Adventure learning (AL) is a hybrid distance education approach that provides students with opportunities to explore real-world issues through authentic learning experiences within collaborative learning environments. Within hybrid environments, designers habitually attempt to replicate traditional classroom pedagogy resulting in experiences that…

Despite the continued growth of Web-based courses, and the great promise of anytime, any place learning, it appears that Web-based instruction fails to produce the sense of "social connectedness" often highly valued in face-to-face instruction. The purpose of this study was to identify problems instructors face that impede social connectedness…

Examines the hidden issues caused by the format-shifting effect in distance education. Findings of a study of undergraduate students indicated that learning format shifting is a period of dilemma that occurs during the early period for learners during their first distance class. Overlooking the issue would result in problems that could affect…

Reviews the educational and technological approaches used in telematics-based open and distance learning (ODL). Particular reference is made to projects supported by the Telematics Applications Program (TAP) of the Fourth Framework of the EC Research and Technological Development Program. Concentrates on practice, reflecting the interest in how…

Reports on the design and formative assessment of a synchronous distance education demonstration project designed to bring experts to participants at their work locations through Internet technologies. Following evaluation results, a more robust model was designed to increase interactivity before, during, and after the live-broadcast training…

Presents research abstracts from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology. Topics include: classroom communication apprehension and distance education; outcomes of a distance-delivered science course; the NASA/Kennedy Space Center Virtual Science Mentor program; survey of traditional and distance learning higher education members;…

Briefly examines past military distance education practices and then focuses on discussion of the Department of Defense's (DoD's) initiative in Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL). Outlines some of the potential problems that should be addressed in the near future and possible solutions towards the goal of implementing a successful ADL system for…

Finn (1953) implied research and practice could not be conducted effectively without clear terminology. Keegan's (1986) work became the foundation for more modern definitions, including one espoused by this journal, "institutionally-based, formal education, where the learning group is separated and where interactive technologies are used to…

An administrator who has a basic understanding of alternative methods for learning is one that shows a greater inclination to support those methods. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of administrator attitudes and perceptions relative to distance education, and how those attitudes and perceptions affect their support of…

Survey data from 174 university students are presented, on a scale designed to measure preference for absolute knowledge and perspective in instruction, including online discussions. Results demonstrate a strong effect of class level such that students in lower grade levels reported a greater preference for instruction involving unambiguous…

Presents results of a systematic effort to collect student feedback on a Web-based distance education course offered by a major university. Findings show some students experienced what Hara and Kling (2000) call distance education student "distress" and, while they found the course to be a satisfactory educational experience overall, students were…

Examines some limitations of online course delivery and management systems in terms of the range of pedagogies they support, and explores the effects of a distance learning pedagogy that emphasizes alternative forms of knowledge representation, authentic forms of assessment, and use of distributed tools on students outcomes and student perceptions…

In 1997, Christine Sorenson reported on the Iowa Distance Education Alliance project that developed an instrument to assess student attitudes about experiences in Iowa Communications Network classrooms. This study evaluates graduate students to determine whether distance education may be more suitable for levels of instruction different from those…

A person-centered instructional design model was developed for virtual, Web-based environments, based on the work of Carl Rogers. This model attempts to address several issues raised in the literature. A person-centered instructional model is described and contrasted with instructionalist and constructivist approaches. Theoretical and practical…