Explains how written material started; describes the nature and supply of electronic documents; characterizes student practices in using paper texts and online electronic texts in higher education, including the role of reading; and considers communication and speed and informational inflation and choice. (Author/LRW)

Discusses use of the Internet by teachers for teacher mailing lists on particular academic subjects. Reports the results of email enquiries that investigated the adoption of use of the lists and then the levels of participation, and concludes that participation is very unequal and questions the cooperative character of these lists. (Author/LRW)

The Delphi technique was used to gather information from a panel of seven experts of collaborative educational telecommunications projects about successful elements of these projects as well as obstacles to success. Thirty-one items received high ratings from the panelists and had a high consensus level among the panel. Conclusions provide…

Investigates whether participants in online environments (Multi-User Dungeon) take advantage of the technological capability to be something different, or instead manipulate the online environment to reflect the world off-line. Suggests individual choice inherent in strategic use of programmed convention is not welcome behavior, and that virtual…

Describes a study that used an ethnographic approach with a dramaturgy strategy to examine Chinese higher education students' interactions and perceptions of social presence in online learning environments. Results indicate that social presence, including social context, online communication, and interactivity, affected Chinese students'…

Describes the Internet-based Electronic Emissary Project that helps teachers locate other Internet account holders who are subject matter experts in different disciplines for the purpose of setting up curriculum-based electronic exchanges among experts and elementary and secondary students and teachers. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the controversy surrounding the existence of a culture created by those who use computers; some argue that computers lack emotional contact and that computer-mediated communication does not have the commonality to form a culture. Analyzes transcripts collected through a synchronous computer system, and argues that cultures are both…

In 1997, Buckman Laboratories (based in Memphis, Tennessee) embarked on a plan to create a Learning Center for its distributed, global workforce using the corporate intranet. The Learning Center is now fully operational and tightly integrated with the knowledge management and sharing activities of the company. Discussion includes rapid prototyping…

Investigates relationships between the quality of cross-gendered interactions online and often-expressed complaint that women are ignored in these environments. Finds women initiating more agreements and open-ended questions, but equivalent numbers of disagreements as their male classmates; however, they fail to speak in their own defense when…

This reflective analysis of an online professional development event illustrates in three narratives and a meta-reflection how three practitioners negotiated the conceptual framework, the activity design, and the roles and presence of the two online facilitators. Authors show how they examined their experience and developed some insights into…

Investigated British teachers' use of an online discussion group over 2 years. Results indicate that, although the online forum was widely used as both an information and empathetic exchange resource, many claims of establishing collectively- focused virtual communities of teachers remain exaggerated, as the forum was limited by various caveats…

In peer-to-peer systems, the lack of dedicated links between constituent computers presents a major challenge. Discusses the problems of distributed database operation with reference to an example. Presents two statistical selection algorithms-one for the intranet with broadcast/multicast facilities, the other for Internet without…

Examines perceptions of White student identity in response to a racial hate email circulated to minority students throughout a predominantly White university campus community in the U.S. in 1999. Indicates that even though White students did not feel the need to identify themselves as "White" because of its sense of normalcy, they enjoyed and…

Considers how theoretical foundations in website design courses can facilitate students learning the genres of Internet communication. Proposes ways that theories can be integrated into website design courses. Focuses on two students' website portfolios and ways they utilize genre theory and activity theory discussed in class to produce websites…

Explores implications of increased publication options and examines conceptual distinctions among Fixed-Format, Electronic, and Meta-media Editors. Proposes a keyboard editing/commenting technique that will work across platforms and software programs and in every mode of electronic communication including simple e-mail. Suggests an increased…