During the 2000-2001 academic year, the General Libraries of the University at Buffalo conducted a pilot project to assess feasibility of providing reference through instant messaging. Describes the project, its implementation, the software used, staffing issues, and publicity efforts. Discusses results of the project in terms of user…

Describes a conceptual framework that can be used to guide the design of distributed learning environments, particularly those that use the capabilities of computer and Internet technology. Discusses implications for improving online collaboration among learners and for informing future designs of computer-supported collaborative learning…

Discusses the growth in e-learning and describes five significant changes and developments that promise to shape the e-learning industry in the next five years. (EV)

Discusses a case study at Pepperdine University (California) in the Online Master of Arts in Educational Technology and the critical insights which can be used by similar university programs to influence their thinking of how to best prepare future learning communities in virtual discussions. Addresses key issues, benefits, and methods concerning…

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…

Describes the Case Technologies for Early Literacy Learning (CTELL) project, designed to develop a specific approach to the use of cases in literacy teacher education. Draws attention to how people entering K-8 teaching receive their education about teaching reading and language arts as part of their initial certification program. (SG)

Discusses insights gained while looking at ways in which computer-mediated communication could help bridge different and often separate fields of practice, school and university, and offer learning experiences for pre-service and in-service teachers alike. Refers to experiences re-designing foreign language teacher education through seminars that…

Examines the introduction of electronic mail into three elementary schools. A contingency model of technology adoption by organizations was used to develop the instruments and interpret results. Findings indicated that a majority of the contingency factors (expectations, influence of peers and administrators, training, technical support, and…

Presents a qualitative research study which thematically analyzes e-mail conversations exchanged by graduate students in a developmental writing program. Focuses on the relationship between these teachers and their students and addresses key issues in basic writing theory and practice. Suggests that graduate students can offer a unique perspective…

Recounts the discussions at the five-day Bishop's Institute for Social Communication in September 1999 held in Bangkok, Thailand to study and reflect on the impact of new communication technologies for "Being Church" in the 21st century. Describes the passion with which the local Church in Asia embraces of the countless possibilities…

Explicates aspects of dialogue theory that may enhance understanding of educational processes in general and interactive learning processes in particular. Bakhtin's extended theory of dialogue, the concept of multivoicedness and Lotman's dual functions of texts are explained and used to analyze a Web-mediated discussion among university students.…

Reviews Internet technological capabilities for counseling and assesses the application of HIV/AIDS related counseling on the Internet. Interviews with health professionals reveal four major themes: counselor client relationship, target population, ethics, and operation. Major concerns include the lack of visual and verbal cues during interaction,…

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…

Examines the social character of anonymous online communication and the ways that anonymous communication has played important roles for professionals such as journalists and the police. Explains some of the new technological supports for anonymous communication on the Internet. Discusses some of the nuances behind the controversies and policy…

Presents seven types of identity knowledge. Identifies major rationales and contexts for anonymity and identifiability and suggests a principle which holds that those who use pseudonyms on the Internet in personal communications are obliged to indicate they are doing so. Suggests 13 procedural questions to guide the development and assessment of…