The rapid growth of technology has made online tools available for education. The ability to discern the characteristics of these tools and to use them appropriately for educational purposes has become increasingly critical. Weblogs and discussion forums are among those up-and-coming tools that have great potential in supporting learning. They…

For those with a vested interest in online technologies for learning, the knowledge and skills that constitute successful participation in massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) places these games squarely among the most promising new digital technologies to date. In this article, the author broadly outlines the qualitative results of a two and…

Describes the use of computer-mediated communication tools to expand the classroom learning community to include students at two universities. Focuses on efforts to develop a sense of community among online learners through active interaction, collaborative learning, socially constructed meaning, sharing of resources, and expressions of support.…

Provides a structural definition of interactivity in instruction, with the goal of describing and delimiting a broad and general process. Examines the four major attributes to the concept of interactivity, and defines four additional variables that arise through the structural study of interaction. Outlines five common patterns that deal with…

Discusses current trends in Internet usage (hypertext, delivery of multimedia, true interactivity) and proposes the PREDICTION (PREsentation, Dynamic Interaction, and Communication) model which formalizes the Internet's dynamic capabilities which should be exploited if its potential as educational technology is to be realized. (PEN)

Discusses how virtual events can be used to enhance education. Topics include balancing virtual and real encounters; finding the best mix of communication options; and finding patterns of interaction that support reflective cognition, knowledge amplification, community-building, learning, and global understanding. GLOBENET 1997, an international…

Based on a review of the literature, this article examines the roles of a computer conference moderator in distance education. Highlights include the role of technology in distance education; interactions in learning, including synchronous and asynchronous interaction; reliance on discussion; and pedagogical, social, managerial, and technical…

Based on a five-year ethnographic study of the activity of an online, international academic community of practice supported by ListServer technology, this article covers selective findings pertaining to patterns of communication deemed crucial to community building. Implications of learning and collegial support are discussed. (Author/AEF)

Looks at some key elements of teachers' knowledge and skill bases and considers how these might be supported in Web-based instruction. Describes the "micro-genres" that constitute the instructional events of the online class. Introduces a software package to demonstrate how these interactions may be facilitated in practice. (Author/AEF)

Discussion of computer-mediated communication in education focuses on online collaboration. Highlights include characteristics of a collaborative group, including participation, interaction, and interdependence; collaborative situations; non-collaborative groups, including cooperation without collaboration; factors that promote or inhibit…

Defines social and instructional interaction and outlines key elements influencing the design of adaptive computer-mediated learning. Discusses options for the design of interactivity: Web-based, groupware, programming tools, and hybrid course design programs; proposes a graphical model for choosing design tools balancing interactivity and…

Discusses interaction in Web-based distance education for post-secondary students. Topics include designing interaction; asynchronous versus synchronous communication; individual, small group, and mass communications; interpersonal and intrapersonal interaction; teacher-directed versus student self-directed learning; task/content interaction…

Discussion of the shift from traditional classrooms to Web-based training and distance education focuses on strategies that instructors can use to transition into various distance-based settings. Highlights include shifting instructor roles; technology issues; online course development; course dynamics and interaction; communication;…