Factors that increase the likelihood of sustainable on-line learning community success fall into four general categories: the selection of an ease of learning and ease of use application permits an adequate default setting to begin operation yet permits users and managers to customize their on-line environment; creation and support of users,…

Outlines four categories of "prior" questions to consider before embarking on a distance learning program: "Everyone is doing it"; "The promise of income"; "Computers and networks"; and "Potential students." Identifies other questions that focus on types of individual needs and how they are being met; options that could be made available; problems…

Describes efforts by a team of faculty, staff, students, and administrators at a small southwestern university to "Web-base" a graduate degree program. Identifies eight functional system components that must be addressed and aligned to promote distance learning. Discusses key issues and decisions made during development of the system in the…

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…

This book looks at the developing understanding of approaches to online teaching and the emergence of pedagogies that will ensure online teaching and learning materials are effective. Contributors to this volume were participants at an expert seminar held at the International Center for Learner Managed Learning at Middlesex University, London, and…

Reports on a month-long visit to South African alternative educational programs which are filling the gap between the official computer curriculum and the potential power of computers for writing and publishing. Describes how progressive South African educators use the computer as a tool for empowerment and to subvert the established curriculum.…

Reports the results of a number of research projects undertaken by the Learning in Virtual Environment (LIVE) research group at De Montfort University (Leicester, UK). These projects included surveys of staff and student attitudes and their experience of videoconferencing. Results identify important issues, including technical, human,…

The purpose of this study is to determine the number of counselor education programs that utilize distance learning, to identify the distance learning software delivery products used, and to identify features of software used. The researchers also attempt to identify faculty perceptions related to and experience with the importance of distance…

In contrast to traditional types of learning and teaching processes and learning media, such as printed material for Web and hypermedia learning resources, Web resources and Web-based activities are quite often unfortunately more or less separate parts of the planning process and curriculum documentation in an organization's traditional…

Argues that including computer programming in the curriculum as a medium for instruction is a feasible alternative for teaching problem solving. Discusses the nature of problem solving; the problem-solving elements of discovery, motivation, practical learning situations and flexibility which are inherent in programming; capabilities of computer…

Examines experiences of Park College (Missouri) (Park University as of January 1, 2000) in developing an online distance learning program that serves more than 1,700 students per term worldwide. Discusses the pilot course; first terms online; motivations and preconditions necessary for success; profit/nonprofit perspective; leadership; types of…

Discusses why the introduction of new technologies (or other educational innovations) as a means to greater learner autonomy is likely to produce some student resistance. Considers factors involved in determining the strength of resistance, and ways teachers can assist students to recognize and overcome associated problems. Presents the authors'…

Instructional technology is defined as a systematic way of designing, carrying out, and evaluating the total process of learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives, based on research in human learning and communication and employing a combination of human and nonhuman resources to bring about more effective instruction. The main question…

This document reports the findings of four task forces involved in the first phase of master planning for the Peralta Community College District. Task Force I concerned itself with population, revenue, and enrollment trends. Peralta has had financial difficulty because of inflation and a general decline in assessed valuation per ADA. After the…

This paper presents a case study of distance education and professional development in Bermuda, British West Indies. In 1996, the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education at Fitchburg State College (FSC), Massachusetts, entered into a program to provide a Master's of Education program to Bermuda's teachers. The Bermudian Ministry of Education…