The project described in this paper, representing the initial phases of a one-year on-going project, was organized to build a supportive environment for Instructional Systems Technology (IST) doctoral students at Indiana University-Bloomington to help them prepare for the Qualifying exams. An overview is provided of steps taken to create an…

Students enrolled in a graduate level social work class offered through distance education were encouraged to use e-mail and a class listserv. Analysis of the sources and content of course-related electronic transmissions revealed that distant students were significantly more likely than on-campus students to use e-mail and a course listserv.…

Nine volunteers from a 17-member physics method class in a preservice teacher education program at Queen's University of Kingston (Canada) participated in a private WebCT forum in which they could explore various aspects of their learning during the second half of their program. This paper responds to two central questions from this use of WebCT…

This paper describes the development of an educational partnership between two disparate and geographically separated institutions--the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and Saint Joseph's University (SJU) (Pennsylvania)--that is specifically focused on the food industry and, more specifically, the development and launch of new food products.…

As K-12 schools connect to the Internet, a new method of communication opens up to educators and their students. This ERIC Digest describes some sample services and resources that are available to the K-12 community by electronic mail over the Internet (resources and addresses are subject to change). Question answering services, electronic…

This paper describes three instructional strategies designed to support community building in an online graduate teacher education course: (1) MOO (Multi-User Dimensions Object Oriented) field trips, in which participants are introduced to text-based virtual environments on the Internet through metaphoric online "field trips"; (2)…

Presents ideas for encouraging teachers' technology use: create video illusions; challenge teachers to an online personality test; get staff e-mail accounts; encourage students/staff to e-mail relatives and friends; give seminars on multitask/multimedia programs; help students create newsletters; print holiday letters; search the Web for topics;…

Examines preservice teachers' interactions with the Internet in searching for information and in communications. Discusses embodied computing, user "domination and silencing,""brotherhoods" on the Internet, ethical issues, privacy versus the public nature of the Internet, sharing of text and sharing of voice, language of searches, and explorations…

Suggests that a combination of face-to-face and computer-mediated discussion (CMD) provides a learning environment superior to that of the traditional classroom. Finds that students actively involved in CMD groups not only reported learning more than they otherwise would have but also tended to earn higher grades than students taking part in…

Explores some potential problems with the increased use of technology in legal education, including an emphasis on pedagogy as information delivery rather than experiential learning and skill development, and the loss of vital face-to-face interactions. (EV)

Describes a centralized program facility called "UWired," at the University of Washington, as a center for teaching and learning with technology. Suggests that educators need to pay attention to electronic links being forged within the university community and to counter the hype of hardware and software developers promising to provide…

Uses qualitative research methods to analyze a three-hour (48 contact hours) distance education course. Examines the reduction of social abrasion in distance education resulting from the combination of physical distance, emotional distance, simultaneous two-way verbal and visual access, private communication, and maintenance of distinct knowledge…

Analyzes the experiences and experiments of the Open University (OU), United Kingdom, in the use of computer conferencing over 10 years. Provides a framework for considering educational uses of the medium and describes several innovative applications. Highlights the main issues involved in implementing this technology. (Author)

Describes the potential of a FirstClass server in audioconferencing courses at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks using telecommunications, e-mail, student-to-student interaction, submission of assignments, e-mail, timely instructor feedback, and the transfer of files and multimedia documents. Student surveys indicated some positive aspects of…

Discusses the issues involved in creating an Internet-based chemistry class, including presentation of material, testing, lab work, and administrative support. (WRM)