Investigates cultural issues that the Internet has introduced into classrooms, with illustrations of good practice to stimulate critical discussions among educators on ethical and cultural aspects of Internet use, including equality of access and participation for all people, and mutual respect for, and promotion of, underrepresented languages and…

Investigates the effect of oral and electronic media on interaction patterns by learners of Japanese as a second language. The framework for the analysis of learner is speech act theory, which provides a richly developed set of descriptive categories by which to examine interactional processes. (Author/JL)

Describes a teacher's experiences developing and implementing a three-week interdisciplinary unit for fourth grade students that revolves around the Alaskan Iditarod sled dog race. Students read about the race history, figure out a racing budget, learn about animal breeding and care, and follow the actual progress of the racing teams via Internet…

Examines computer-mediated communication (CMC) in preservice teacher education, documenting emerging problems and arising needs. After describing CMC and categorizing its utilization in preservice teacher education, the paper calls for creation of new CMC technologies that nurture preservice teachers' learning and discusses a Web-based classroom…

ArtView, developed at Cornell University, allows groups of learners to converse at a distance while viewing an image that has been pre-loaded by the instructor. Results of user-testing revealed that ArtView lacked the elements of personal choice and outstanding physical viewing environment provided by museums; however, most students reported…

Provides some basic and rudimentary information on using the Internet and the World Wide Web. Succinctly answers such questions as: What is the Internet?; What does it cost?; and What kind of equipment do I need? Includes a list of recommended Web sites for general coverage of social studies. (MJP)

Describes a computer-mediated communication course for pre-service teachers that was developed as a problem-based learning environment for virtual interactions between three college campuses. Discusses design issues that include a needs assessment, course content analysis, and designing student activities; development and implementation issues;…

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a technology-enhanced staff development program. The program utilized video tele-conferences and training videos to train five elementary schools in the creation of collaborative partnerships (i.e., team teaching and family centers). A discussion of procedures, outcomes, and…

Discussion of distance education in higher education focuses on guidelines and standards developed by the American Federation of Teachers. Highlights include faculty role; course design; student role; personal interaction via electronic communication; class size; course content; subject offerings; information literacy, both electronic and print;…

Evaluates the "fit" between literacy educators and Internet use through survey and written journal responses during an Internet course. Literacy educators were drawn to teacher-teacher e-mailing, electronic (telecommunications) library research, to the Web, and to a far lesser extent listserv subscriptions and e-mailing for classroom students.…

Examines the influence of group constitution on group function, and the influence of teamwork and cooperative learning on the individual's perception of the subject. Subjects were undergraduate Computer Science students. Results indicated development of positive intergroup relations and desirable prosocial behaviors which could bridge the gap…

Discusses research that examined the issues and challenges experienced by facilitators in cross-cultural group discussions in a Web conferencing program, using action research methods of data collection and analysis. Considers questioning, participation, interpersonal and group dynamics, facilitator expectations, and student expectations.…

Reports that, based on a survey of 195 distance education students, significant differences were found between the way male and female students identified the strengths and weaknesses of the online environment. Also finds that online courses are of great value to nontraditional students, particularly female adult learners with children or family…

The discussion board feature that is included with most course management software packages is a potentially valuable tool to augment instructor-student interactions in science lecture courses and increase student motivation. However, many teachers seem to have been frustrated that students do not readily make use of this feature when it is added…

This case study investigates the effectiveness of online peer dialogue journaling. The authors developed this learning strategy for elementary preservice teachers to reflect on their tutoring experiences and to provide support to their journal partners using an Internet discussion forum. The participants were asked to fill in two questionnaires,…