Sustainable development, biological diversity and conservation of tropical forests are only a few of the hot environmental and political topics where the actors involved have started to make use of the world-wide computer networks. The Internet (as a transport medium of information exchange) and the World Wide Web (as the favorite service to…

The rapid growth over the last few years of online services designed to appeal to a mass market audience in the United States encouraged many of the companies operating these services to consider launching them in Europe. This paper concentrates primarily on the European market of online services. The services fall into three categories: United…

Based on survey data from college and university distance learning programs in the United States and Canada, this report gives higher education administrators hard data to make decisions on the financing, scope, and development of distance learning efforts. It also profiles some of the leading practitioners such as Johns Hopkins, California State…

The growing popularity of focus group measurements can be traced to any one of four factors: (1) the economics associated with focus groups; (2) the speed at which data can now be collected; (3) the need to understand customer motivations; and (4) the desire to improve subsequent qualitative research activities and programs. Market researchers are…

In computer-mediated communication, genres are the means through which community is established; it is through genres that students construct their knowledge and express their positions. This paper presents and illustrates an analytical method based on genre and social semiotic theory, which can be used to investigate the development of student…

This study evaluated the relationship between psychological traits of campus-based undergraduate students and their preference for face-to-face (FtF) or computer-mediated communications (CMC), investigating the validity of transferring CMC instructional strategies from distance education to traditional classrooms. Thirty-eight students (80%) of…

This study discusses the capabilities of preservice teachers to engage in a daily dialog with other preservice teachers as well as university supervisors, which has been shown to be an effective means to enhance the student teaching experience. In this study, students who utilized technology daily for communication with one another and with their…

MOOs (Multi-User, Object-Oriented Environments), which were designed originally as spaces for online social interaction, are increasingly recognized today for their value as educational tools. This book brings together a diverse group of experts whose contributions help answer questions and dispel myths surrounding MOOs and their use in education.…

One of the major goals of mathematics education reform efforts is for students to become more confident in their abilities. This paper suggests that computer conferencing provides a way to change classroom practice so that students can work together in a self-paced manner that builds self-esteem and confidence in mathematics. A pedagogical…

On-line learning presents significant new challenges for faculty, students, and the colleges and universities where they teach and learn. The overriding challenge for all parties is to ensure that technology is used to enhance, not degrade teaching and learning. DePaul University, Illinois, which grew from two to six campuses, expanded the role of…

This conference addressed pedagogical, social, and technological issues related to computers in education. The conference theme, "Learning Societies in the New Millennium: Creativity, Caring & Commitments," focused on creative learning, caring for diverse cultures and global issues, and committing oneself to a new way of…

As colleges and universities consider various options for wide scale "computerization," one southern liberal arts university has instituted a technology program that insures that all students have equal access to laptop computers. At this university, each student is issued his or her own IBM ThinkPad, and activities involving this computer are…

Interaction between instructors and learners is a critical element in the learning process during an online course (Moore 1993; Offir 2000). The desire to engage the students in meaningful and challenging interaction would appear to require an intensive time commitment by the faculty. This paper presents methods that not only engage the learner…

The project described in this paper, representing the initial phases of a one-year on-going project, was organized to build a supportive environment for Instructional Systems Technology (IST) doctoral students at Indiana University-Bloomington to help them prepare for the Qualifying exams. An overview is provided of steps taken to create an…

This paper presents a guide, based on the experiences of some online teachers and students at Ohio University, offering practical information for instructors who want to teach online more effectively. Online instructional tips are organized and provided in four main areas. The first area of guidelines focuses on pedagogical aspects, and discusses…