Dual-mode universities operating in a tough economic environment need to be able to answer a range of questions concerning their use of different teaching modes accurately and with confidence. Only an activity-based costing approach will provide them with this tool. Cost studies of other distance learning projects may provide benchmarks against…

Technology-based initiatives have transformed the process of teaching and learning activities at formal institutions generally and distance education institutions particularly. Distance education is at the heart of the digital age making maximum use of the emerging technologies. Researchers have favoured computer mediated communications (CMC) for…

Educational technology implementation often owes more to the technical proficiency of the teaching staff and/or the capacity of the institution than to a student outcome-centred design process. Creation of online resources takes considerable time and involves significant cost to both the institution, for devices and platforms, and to students for…

Suggests that interactive group communication technologies, like computer conferencing, de-industrializes the distance education process and hence increases costs. Discusses constructivism, computer mediated communication, programs at Athabasca University (Canada), and implications for distance and campus-based universities. (Author/LRW)

The authors studied a course in which an instructor allowed individuals at a distance to participate. Although these students were not formally enrolled in the university where the class took place, the instructor gave them full access to all course materials and encouraged them to complete course assignments. The authors examined the time and…

The main purpose of this study is to focus on the university-community partnerships (UCPs) via distance in Turkey. Also, this study focuses on how to negotiate the meaning and usability of flexible e-contents to build online societies is very important for lifelong learners in assessing their understanding founded on culturally shared online…

Lists steps to follow when planning a course online: assess needs and necessary conditions to satisfy them; estimate development cost, effort, and implications; plan the virtual classroom; design the virtual classroom; prepare and distribute contents; enable communication; implement online student assessment methods; implement class management…

The Instructional Systems Technology Distance Master of Science program is one of the first degrees of its kind to be offered at Indiana University. Other than an initial on-campus orientation, it can be completed entirely via the Internet. The first course for this program was offered Fall of 2000 with 18 students enrolled. This same semester, a…

Reviews four studies that capture the present and potential impact of videoconferencing and outlines what needs to be done before videoconferencing is commonly used in education. Discusses instructional effectiveness, cost, factors that affect its success, and videoconferencing compared to other forms of communications. (Author/LRW)

Analyzes the case of a trans-European video-teaching link principally from the standpoint of the expenditure required to implement and run it, set against the benefits it offers. Considers fixed and recurrent costs. Concludes that, despite enthusiasms in the literature and in official reports for interactive tele-teaching, the financial burden it…

A new classroom is emerging as teaching styles influence the use of instructional technology across a distance. This paper discusses interactive technology from the instructors' point of view, in the context of a course design joining Iowa State University and the University of Virginia. The course was created through the combined vision and time…

Examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of online education based on a review of the literature. Discusses the three major variables contributing to success in online learning--instructional design, social matters, and students' personal factors; findings of case studies analyzing cost-effectiveness; and factors affecting…

Reviews and compares three offerings of graduate degrees via the Internet--two master's programs in management and one master's program in library and information science. Presents a "Consumer's Guide" to online degree programs; lists questions for evaluating the institution, the degree program and coursework involved, and the program cost. (AEF)

Lists seven characteristics of online instruction, and discusses related questions. Topics include costs, increased usage of educational technology, access to information/communication for isolated groups, the present text-based system and technological change, the pattern of hypertext, effectiveness of online instruction, and the student/teacher…

Previous reports in this series (#32 and 36) have discussed online software features of value to disabled learners in distance education. The current report evaluates four specific assistive software products with useful features for visually and hearing impaired learners: "ATutor", "ACollab", "Natural Voice", and "Just Vanilla". The evaluative…