This paper presents the main research findings of a large scale investigation about the state of the art in information and communications technology (ICT) use for educational purposes in Belgium, and specifically the current situation in Flemish universities. The main focus is on user characteristics and the attitudes of educators. Questions…

The use of intelligent software agents within computer mediated learning environments has become an important focus of research and development in both AI and educational contexts. Some of the roles envisaged and implemented for these electronic entities involve direct interactions with students, participating in the "social" dimension of the…

The California History-Social Science Project (CH-SSP), a legislatively-mandated professional development program is administered out of the University of California, Office of the President. The Executive Offices are based at UCLA, and oversee 17 local sites across California. As part of its mission, CH-SSP engages teachers in action research on…

Telematics for Teacher Training (T3), as a European support action, has prepared the profession of European teacher training for the infusion of Telematics into courses, plus the enhancement of training provision via telematics applications. T3 Consortium partners included eight teacher training institutions across eight European countries.…

This paper describes the implementation of data conferencing to provide visual stimuli to students in the Homebound Program, a college degree program designed to accommodate students who are unable to come to campus for classes. The data conference system, a simpler, more cost effective alternative to video conferencing, transmits still images as…

Based on classroom observation, interviews, and student and teacher surveys, this study examined student interaction and participation within a computer-mediated communication (CMC) environment in a college-level plant science lab course. The CMC discourse encouraged experimentation, sharing of early ideas, increased and more distributed…

The goal of this study was to predict which students are at risk in Web-based classes at the community college level and to gather information on why students drop these classes. The reason given by the 22 students interviewed was that they could not obtain, access, or install all the required learning materials in a timely manner and that they…

Presents an evaluation of a computer-aided personalized system of instruction program in two undergraduate psychology courses. The computer presented short essay tests and arranged for students who had completed various assignments satisfactorily to help evaluate other students' mastery of those assignments. Student response generally was…

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…

Elementary school teachers, administrators, and counselors need to implement educational strategies that effectively help children develop skills necessary to manage technological demands and interpersonal challenges related to living in a highly diverse modern society. Discusses projects and activities that involve the use of computers among…

Based on analysis of discussions of fiction using Dedalus Interchange in literary analysis classes, it was found that synchronous electronic conferencing exposed students to more viewpoints, deemphasized traditional authority, increased metalinguistic awareness, decreased inhibition and gender barriers, and facilitated increased social…

Highlights two recent studies in the field of distance education. C.N. Gunawardena and F.J. Zittle found a high degree of variation between learner satisfaction and social presence in a computer-mediated communication environment. J. McDonald and C. Campbell-Gibson study demonstrated that groups meeting in a synchronous computer-mediated course…

Describes a graduate course on distance learning which uses seven kinds of asynchronous and synchronous interactive media. All students were able to find their voices in one of the media, and many achieved profound learning experiences at a distance. One of the disadvantages of using multiple media is the problem of measuring the outcomes of…

Explores gender differences in the use of computer-mediated communication in a specific learning context by a small group of postgraduate distance learners and their tutors at the University of Sheffield. Uses content analysis of online dialog to investigate learning and socioemotional behavior. (Author/LRW)

Focuses on software for distance education. Discusses the cost of course development and highlights three classes of distance education tools: communication tools, course development tools, and digital imaging and video production software. Presents three scenarios that reflect the most likely approaches to course development and presentation.…