This paper surveys the various teleconferencing trials in the Open University, and attempts to analyze why they have been relatively unsuccessful compared to other new media initiatives such as audio cassettes and computer assisted learning. The situation is placed in the context of British and European educational use of telecommunications in…

Describes research undertaken at Open University (Great Britain) and Deakin University (Australia) in the use of international communication by electronic mail for (1) the collaborative study of distance education and (2) use of international course teams in preparing distance teaching materials. The electronic mail system and difficulties…

A study of teachers in the United Kingdom's Open University who used a computer mediated communications system called Cosy in 1988 was conducted to document their experiences with and attitudes toward the system. The results of interviews and analysis of log sheets revealed that: (1) the sample of teachers (n=10) showed a range in usage of the…

A dial-access, multiuser, multiaccess CD-ROM search system with end-user capability was developed to provide Eastern Oregon State College distance education students with access to the information required by their studies. Based on UNIX, the system provides students with access to 12 databases, an e-mail system for messaging, interlibrary loan…

Since distance learning via computer/modem is a relatively new concept, little is known about the students in computer/modem classes. This paper investigated computer/modem college students' backgrounds, ages, interests, reasons for enrollment, grades, and course completion rates as compared to traditional students. In the study there were 167…

Reviews a computerized monitoring system for distance education students at Athabasca University designed to solve the problems of tracking student performance. A pilot project for tutors is described which includes an electronic conferencing system and electronic mail, and an evaluation currently in progress is briefly discussed. (LRW)

Describes the Online degree program at the University of Phoenix which recently graduated the first class of MBAs (Masters of Business Administration) to have obtained their degrees via this distance education program. Discussion of telecommunications includes descriptions of interactive group conferences and methods of measuring students'…

The Networked Classroom was implemented by the Southern Interior Telecommunications Project (SITP) to provide computer mediated communication (CMC) to teachers and students in the southern region of British Columbia. The Networked Classroom uses telecommunication networks to link teachers and students from different locations, to support their…

One of the most recent technological systems to be adopted for use in distance education is computer-mediated communication (CMC), which typically includes computer conferencing, electronic mail, and electronic bulletin boards. The purpose of this review is to provide teachers, researchers and administrators with a practical summary of current…

In order to determine what constraints lead students to enroll in television-based courses, personal interviews were conducted in the fall of 1989 with students enrolled in at least one telecourse at four institutions, i.e., Governors State University in Illinois, Northern Virginia Community College, Memphis State University in Tennessee, and the…

This report on the status, prospects, and future implications of distance education in the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington focuses on those delivery systems that provide or could provide instructional units, courses, or instructional supplements to elementary and secondary schools in the region. The first of five…

This discussion of the application of computers and telecommunications technology to distance learning begins by describing a workstation equipped to produce "lessonware" in such formats as audiocassettes, videocassettes, diskettes, and voice messages. Such workstations would be located in classrooms equipped with two-way reverse passes to a cable…

Fifteen developments in technology that have laid the foundation for the current information-technology environment on college and university campuses are listed. They include both specific technological innovations and broader trends that make use of several technologies. (MSE)

The Northwest Wisconsin Technical College Electronic Campus (NWTC/EC) is an electronic bulletin board system that delivers courses via IBM microcomputer and telephone modem. Computer-based course delivery focused on the inservice training for economic development, student services, division coordinators, and branch campus departments at NWTC to…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of using an electronic bulletin board in an off-campus doctoral program (Ed.D.) for health professionals offered by the University of Georgia. Participants included 14 doctoral students (13 female and 1 male) enrolled in an advanced course, Research in Instruction, who received training in…