This paper examines educational applications of computer-based communications to identify unique tools for learning provided by this medium and to identify key features of successful text-based computer mediated communications (CMC) projects. A review of CMC programs provides guidelines for designing effective teacher training programs in CMC.…

Describes KITES (Kids Interactive Telecommunications Experience by Satellite), a cooperative program that involved an eighth grade class in Massachusetts and a ninth grade class in West Germany; the program focused on environmental science and English language instruction. The computer technology used is described, problems are discussed, and…

This article describes a qualitative study of the impact that Internet electronic-mail-distributed conferences, or e-conferences, have begun to have on the information seeking and sharing behavior of library and information science professionals and scholars. Highlights include a literature review; enhancing or replacing information sources; and…

Three major areas of new technology appropriate for distance education are briefly described: satellite delivery, video teleconferencing, and computers and networking. Important considerations are offered to college and university trustees for media selection and policy formation. (MSE)

Provides an overview of inservice teacher training programs in Japan, which have few links to formal distance education programs. Teachers' growing use of computer communications networks is reviewed as a self-teaching method, and future directions are suggested. (Contains nine references.) (EAM)

This paper reflects on a two-semester experiment using computer technologies in the university political science classroom. The instructor incorporated electronic mail (e-mail), the Internet, and an on-line conferencing program into the course requirements for an upper-division course on the Supreme Court and an introductory honors tutorial on…

This videotape records a two-hour live teleconference that had over 500 participants and was broadcast on May 8, 1996. The hosts, experienced school network designers, provide examples of school networks, address network design features, and discuss planning considerations that face educators needing to make intelligent decisions about constantly…

This presentation describes the distance education program at Memorial University (Newfoundland), which operates the Telemedicine Centre, including an audiographic, teleconference network that uses a combination of hardware and software to turn an MS DOS computer into an interactive long distance blackboard. Topics covered by the presentation…

A five-page electronic questionnaire was sent to 113 special librarians who responded to "Call for Participation" announcements posted on nine computer conferences in July 1991 and a similar announcement in the August 1991 issue of the monthly newsletter of the Special Libraries Association. Fifty-four librarians completed the…

This paper describes the characteristics of "smart schools" and offers guidelines for developing such schools. Smart schools are defined as having three features: (1) they are computer networked via local area networks in order to share information through teleconferencing, databases, and electronic mail; (2) they are connected beyond…

Part of the always-changing field of microcomputers is the growing use of electronic mail/message systems (EMMS), a general term for describing the transmission of messages using computers and telecommunications facilities. As a result of these advances, it is possible for administrators, teachers, staff, and students to have immediate access to…

The Pacific Telecommunications Council's 18th annual conference is presented in two volumes. The PTC'96 gathering focused on seven streams: socio-economic issues; regulatory, legal and political issues; business and finance solutions; country studies; education, training, and human resources; convergence and networks; and technologies and…

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is constantly striving to expand the concept of the classroom and fulfill the mission of the university, which includes serving the educational needs of employed professionals, regardless of their schedules and distance from the central campus. "Distant learners" include those whose job demands, family…

The International Education and Resource Network (I*EARN) was used to conduct an experiment in which elementary and secondary school students explored the topic of family in various cultures. Electronic mail, teleconferencing, and hypertext WEB were used. The experiment included compiling a multilingual dictionary, debates, role-changing between…

Discussion of concerns of librarians who are involved in CD-ROM selection and acquisition focuses on three main areas: (1) sources for discovering and investigating CD-ROM products, including an annotated bibliography of journals, publisher's catalogs, books, network conferences, and online indexes; (2) criteria for selection; and (3) vendor…