Contrasts the dominant view of distance education as mass production and independent study (industrial model) with an emerging view incorporating interactive communications technology and personalized and collaborative learning (postindustrial model). Argues that computer conferencing is the most feasible and effective postindustrial technology…

Since its publication in "The Internet and Higher Education," Garrison, Anderson, and Archer's [Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. "The Internet and Higher Education," 2(2-3), 87-105.] community of inquiry (CoI) framework has generated…

Discusses computer conferencing in higher education, presents a community of inquiry model that includes benefits of computer conferencing, and discusses social presence, defined as the ability of learners to project themselves socially and affectively into a community of inquiry. Topics include teacher immediacy, coding, and content analysis of…

This paper describes an audio teleconferencing system enhanced with a microcomputer-based telewriting system and examines its application in the delivery of university courses in statistics, microcomputer applications in special education, nursing issues, introductory writing, and staff development for teachers. The actual application of the…

An audioteleconferencing system enhanced with a microcomputer-based telewriting system was used for the delivery of an introductory statistics course designed for home study which was offered by Athabasca University. From the instructor's point of view, the telewriter system made supporting the delivery of the statistics course much easier and…

Reports on a study of student perceptions of learning via audioconferencing using two distinct instructional designs in university-level courses delivered at a distance. The use of field observations, interviews, focus groups, and mail surveys is discussed; pertinent literature is reviewed; and the importance of human interaction in distance…

Presents encouraging empirical findings related to an attempt to create an efficient and reliable instrument to assess the nature and quality of critical discourse and thinking in a text-based educational context. Suggests that cognitive presence (critical, practical inquiry) can be created and supported in a computer-conference environment with…