There are millions of people worldwide--of all ages, conditions, backgrounds, and motivations--with significant learning needs. Unfortunately, traditional education is not efficient enough to meet these needs. That is, the available educational resources are not fully exploited to help cover the demand. There is an increasing need for large-scale…

The student learning process is important in online learning environments. If instructors can "observe" online learning behaviors, they can provide adaptive feedback, adjust instructional strategies, and assist students in establishing patterns of successful learning activities. This study used data mining techniques to examine and…

This study uses social network analysis (SNA) in an innovative way to describe interaction and explain how interaction influences sense of community of students in online learning environments. The findings reveal differences on sense of community between two similarly structured online courses, and show unique interaction patterns for students in…

Discusses the use of Web logs to record student behavior that can assist teachers in assessing performance and making curriculum decisions for distance learning students who are using Web-based learning systems. Adopts decision tree and data cube information processing methodologies for developing more effective pedagogical strategies. (LRW)

This study analyzed how students and teachers of one Finnish elementary class participated in and communicated through the Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment (CSILE) during 1997-1998. The density of the interaction within class, students' participation rates, students' position in the CSILE mediated network of interaction, and the…

Examines relationships between student personality and choice of traditional on-campus or online college classes. Data show differences in personality, age, and computer experience between online and on-campus students and help to elucidate characteristics of students selecting the online venue for college classes and/or curricula. Results are…

Describes an experiment that looked at how adult learners made use of their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI[R]), a personality assessment tool, type to cope with the challenges of learning in an online environment. Presents results of the experiment, and draws tentative conclusions. Provides notes related to the four psychological dimensions of…

Discussions of distance education courses develop according to needs/interests of conference participants, course requirements, and nature of the instructor's online facilitation. Findings of this research suggest other factors. Analysis of threads and their growth patterns reveals a bias in favor of elongated note structures, explained by a…

Discussion of learning environments for distance education based on the World Wide Web (WWW) focuses on how academic institutions can collect and analyze data in order to determine the effectiveness of computer mediated distance learning. Describes three models that use analyses of computerized log files, and presents a case study. (Author/LRW)

Course management systems (CMSs), such as Blackboard, Desire2Learn, or WebCT, have become a common resource at universities, colleges, and distance learning organizations. Research into how these systems are used for learning is in an early state. Currently, this research focuses on technical features in a CMS more than research about how people…

This study proposes a hierarchical hyper concept map (HHCM) course system which consists of a navigation map, concept maps, and hypermedia documents. Results of testing the HHCM as a course representation showed achievement was greater for students learning from the course represented by HHCM compared with those learning from a linearly…

Examines the optimal scope for the navigation map in hypermedia courseware. Compares the influence of the scope of the navigation map on disorientation of participants, 146 fifth-grade students. Results show: the navigation map scope impacted pupils' performance in terms of searching steps; a larger field is better, although it does not…

Explains essential factors found in recent research for student accomplishment in Web-based degree programs and how these can be facilitated in the course level through instructional design, teaching, and technical assistance. Examines academic and administrative services at the institutional level, and explains factors of both types, with…

The Education Network of Maine, the distance education arm of the University of Maine, delivers courses over an interactive television system, and has begun offering courses using the Web, videotapes, and other modes. Evaluations reveal that students have been satisfied with: logistics of courses offered, professors, and technology. An area of…

Presents the development and piloting of a coding system for evaluation of asynchronous Web-based instruction/learning. Processes were guided by four prominent education perspectives and the extended examination of, and survey data from, 17 archived Web-based courses. These served as the bases for the development and application of the coding…