Uses qualitative research methods to analyze a three-hour (48 contact hours) distance education course. Examines the reduction of social abrasion in distance education resulting from the combination of physical distance, emotional distance, simultaneous two-way verbal and visual access, private communication, and maintenance of distinct knowledge…

Focuses on possibilities for providing reference service to remote users of digital collections. Discusses international digital reference networks; factors that limit global electronic reference service; and drawbacks of e-mail and use of real-time interactive technologies for the reference encounter. Highlights some pioneering projects. (AEF)

This report explores electronic conferences as a medium in which community can develop among graduate students. Highlights include research in distance education, research in computer-mediated communication, learning outcomes, reflective thinking, community, professional socialization, and differences between individuals who posted entries to the…

Reports on one of the first projects in the United Kingdom which used the Internet to link schools with their local career service. Results of evaluations by staff and pupils in four secondary schools are discussed in terms of design features, access and communication issues, and further recommendations for development. (Author/AEF)

Analyzes the experiences and experiments of the Open University (OU), United Kingdom, in the use of computer conferencing over 10 years. Provides a framework for considering educational uses of the medium and describes several innovative applications. Highlights the main issues involved in implementing this technology. (Author)

Describes the potential of a FirstClass server in audioconferencing courses at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks using telecommunications, e-mail, student-to-student interaction, submission of assignments, e-mail, timely instructor feedback, and the transfer of files and multimedia documents. Student surveys indicated some positive aspects of…

Reviews efforts by the Arabian Gulf Region (21 countries) to develop the ARABMARC exchange format for cataloging non-Roman scripts. Provides details of the availability of the Arabic script support in various automated systems in operation in the Gulf Region. Presents a critical review of the Arabic script support on the Research Libraries…

Reviews the literature that has led to the possible transformation of scholarly publishing through electronic distribution of journals. Discusses the concepts of scholarly communication and computer mediated communication; network delivery experiments; CD-ROM delivery projects; acceptance by the scholarly community; and research and development.…

Provides details, expectations, and advantages of web-based and web-research tutorials. Describes the web-based instructional support services established for the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) intended to eliminate duplication of effort among the VCCS Learning Resource Centers, share the expertise of librarians throughout the VCCS, and…

The Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, a vocational and technical school district, recently spearheaded an initiative to allow members to use laptops at home and during meetings to process board agenda items, receive video and multimedia presentations, and access the school's local-area network and the Internet. (MLH)

Discusses the issues involved in creating an Internet-based chemistry class, including presentation of material, testing, lab work, and administrative support. (WRM)

Notes that Interdisciplinary Studies Program faculty at Wayne State University devised courses and assignments using computer conferencing to create a collaborative, democratic, and nonauthoritarian learning community. Discusses an assignment based on the film "Grand Canyon" that encouraged students to take on roles of their racial and…

Uses a control class to compare student attitudes about writing and performance as writers. Finds that students in the Internet-based classes contributed to their journals more frequently, reported a greater increase in their enjoyment of writing, and demonstrated greater improvement on initial and final timed writing samples as compared with the…

Presents activities to help adolescent and young-adult students become aware of the different types and possible benefits of social support and help them develop skills for obtaining social support. The process involves introducing them to different types of social support, discussing social support, creating social support webs, and having…

Presents a study using an electronic bulletin board as the software platform for students in a large second-year college biology course to improve communications among students and between students and the instructor. Reports that the bulletin board was successful in fostering interaction between students as well as improving student-instructor…