Describes how a high school social studies teacher used an online threaded discussion forum in his classes. Describes integrating the forum into classroom practice. Notes that nearly half of the students surveyed actively used the forum, even though participation was optional; and that 73% reported that it aided their understanding of concepts…

This paper reports an exploratory study of questions about English grammar sent in by a group of Hong Kong English-as-a-Second-Language teachers to a teacher support network, "Telenex." The study examines the questions Hong Kong ESL teachers ask about the English language. (Author/JL)

Describes a video conferencing project involving distance education Masters students in Australia and Hong Kong. Highlights purpose, dialogical approach, and nature of interaction, and presents the project evaluation findings. Concludes that the project demonstrated the feasibility, viability, and effectiveness of teleconferencing as a mode of…

Surveys how a group of students in a recent computer mediated communication (CMC) course attempted to develop referencing conventions to suit their learning purposes, relying heavily on actual quotations (citations) from previous messages. Suggests that success in using referencing correlates with success in a CMC course. (Author/VWL)

Presents options that travelers can use to keep in e-mail contact. Discusses equipment/access issues related to traveling with a laptop; Internet cafes; free e-mail services; accessing home mail via a Web page; and new options e-mail access for travelers. Includes Internet resources on Internet access providers. (AEF)

Uses the perspectives of sociology and computer science to compare face-to-face (f2f) and computer-mediated communications (CMC) from the viewpoint of their respective abilities to form and sustain communities. Identifies a third type of community--a hybrid--that is based on a combination of f2f and CMC or offline and online communications. (AEF)

This article presents the services available on the Internet for creativity and discusses their applicability to electronic brainstorming. Services include bulletin boards, electronic mail and listservs, chat groups, file transfers, and remote login. Opportunities provided by the World Wide Web are discussed, along with tools available to…

Compares the traditional model of the reference interview with a new model based on online information process. Findings offer new perspectives on the reference interview process and lend support to the adoption of a new reference model which shifts its venue from a person to person process, to one in which information itself provides the platform…

Defines "plain old telephone service" (POTS) and broadband communication, comparing costs and performance of cable modems with POTS modems. Describes Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and digital subscriber line (DSL) services. Discusses broadband wireless and satellite networks. Three sidebars illustrate differences between…

Reports the results of a conference on the Internet and anonymous communication organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Discusses how anonymous communications can be shaped by the law, education, and public awareness, and highlights the importance of involving all affected interests in policy development.…

Discusses modem speed, factors affecting performance; phone-line limitations; new options: Interactive Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Digital Subscriber Link (DSL); satellite delivery; cable modems; and choosing the right solution. (PEN)

Offers a brief history of the Dublin Core initiative, an international, interdisciplinary effort to define a core set of elements for resource discovery. Describes outcomes of Dublin Core Workshops 1-4. Discusses outcomes of the Helsinki Metadata Workshop, focusing on the "Finnish Finish" which will form the basis of the first formal…

Studied classroom interventions using a form of multimedia information and communications technology (ICT) in eight year-6 (10 year olds) classes in two English schools. Data show that children become self-directive and exploratory learners in a short period of time, and that they enjoy the freedom and control the ICT system permits. (SLD)

Discusses findings from national surveys conducted from 1995 to 2000 concerning access, community and political involvement, and social interaction of Internet users. Concludes that Internet usage is: becoming more equally accessible and widely used; associated with increased community and political involvement; and associated with significant,…

This article reviews the books, "Virtual Architecture: Designing and Directing Curriculum-Based Telecomputing" and "Design Tools for the Internet-Supported Classroom," both by Judy Harris. The books outline the activity structures and provide information to enable teachers to integrate telecomputing activities in the classroom. Chapter content is…