This paper summarizes what the author has seen go wrong in six years of participation in online discussions and recommends some remedies. The emphasis is on helping discussion leaders to structure and guide online discussions for maximum effectiveness. The paper has a focus on learning environments, which are central to both formal academic…

Recent growth in national attention directed toward online courses and virtual schools underscores the importance of e-learning policy and online learning practices. In response to these needs, this edition of "Policy Issues" aims to: summarize the critical e-learning issues related to education policy; provide an overview of what works,…

This paper reports on a course format where a group of in-service teachers works together with a group of computer science and mathematics majors via a computer conferencing system. Most of the time, participants studied using the Internet, but at the end they produced and presented a seminar paper together in pairs. This type of course has now…

Web-based learning environments are strongly driven by the information revolution and the Internet, but they have a number of common deficiencies, such as slow access, no adaptivity to the individual student, limitation by bandwidth, and more. This paper outlines the benefits of mobile agents technology, and describes its application in Web-based…

This document discusses how in 1999, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges began 2 major projects to develop and improve online learning and courses. The first project (a U.S. Department of Education Demonstration for financial aid rule waivers) examines current rules intended for on-campus programs in the case of online…

Oklahoma Christian University has implemented a ubiquitous computing program where every student and faculty member are equipped with IBM ThinkPad laptops that are connected to a wireless network. The technological enhancements provided by this program helped to create an environment where collaboration between students and faculty could be…

Nearly 90% of all University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) students and staff are regular users of e-mail. The University has taken advantage of this widespread use and replaced many paper distributions--payroll earnings statements, unofficial transcripts, degree audits, adviser grade reports, bills, et cetera--with distribution via e-mail.…

This book examines new learning and telecommunications technologies and their potential applications to enrich the learning process, to ensure educational equality for all students and to help cultivate the "Educated Person," one who is capable of maintaining a high quality of life, and of contributing to the betterment of the community…

Addresses issues related to the implementation of information and communications technology (ICT) in education and online learning with particular reference to Japan. Presents an integrated model for the introduction of ICT at all levels of education that suggests ways of bridging the gap between research and development and actual educational…

Describes the results of a three-year study that tracked actual and perceived future use of electronic communication for teaching, research, service, and personal activities by faculty at Eastern Illinois University. Use before and after a local area network (LAN) installation is discussed, and previous research is reviewed. (20 references) (LRW)

Introduces the Internet, including a brief history of the system, the essential components, and a step-by-step procedure for getting started. Discusses online services of specific interest to Hispanics. Also considers the political debate over privatization of services. (RAH)

Looks at the frames (of time, space, roles, and knowledge) that define learning, and examines how such frames would be radically altered by online learning. Discusses students, teachers, schooling as an institution, commercialization, and curriculum. Concludes that the new frame may deliver much, and may also exclude much. Includes listings of Web…

Uses Tenner's framework of unintended consequences of the introduction and use of technology and applies it to a case study in educational technology change at Curtin University (Western Australia). Discusses distance education, computer-mediated communication based on the World Wide Web, and revenge as a framework for identifying unintended…

Describes nursing education integrating the Internet at Ball State University: (1) redesign of a professional-issues course; (2) electronic conferencing and computer quizzes in a health-appraisal course; (3) Internet tools used in an introductory associate-degree course; and (4) redesign of the required registered nurse-completion course. (SK)

This study of 550 participants was designed to test an integrated theoretical model (the 4-E Model) for predicting the likelihood of the use of telecommunications-related technological innovations in learning-related settings. The four "Es" are: environmental factors, effectiveness, ease of use, and (personal) engagement. Results, which supported…