The Distance Learning Partnership in Gerontology involves eight Georgia state universities in a videoconferencing network for gerontology education. Design features include multilevel administration and a multimethod, multimeasure evaluation plan. Challenges include the diversity of faculty and students and enabling faculty autonomy within a…

Notes that the process of electronic conferencing can result in activity not readily apparent as leading to productive writing behaviors, which reintroduces the tension between process and product into composition studies. Argues for a broader notion of writing and urges attention to the transformative power of electronic conferencing to enable…

Four graduate courses in nursing administration incorporated computer-assisted instruction modules, e-mail discussion groups, and two-way interactive videoconferencing. The courses successfully incorporated adult learning principles, and the number of students with home computers increased from 20% to 100%. (SK)

A workshop based on a mini-case study explores design issues for using videoconferencing in continuing health education. Presenter orientation, appropriate visuals, modular structure, adult learning principles, and group facilitation are discussed. (SK)

Queensland (Australia) Open Learning Network delivered training to telephone industry workers using audiographic conferencing. Ways to overcome the lack of face-to-face interaction were devised, and the presenter used oral cues more extensively. (SK)

Thirty-three rural Oklahoma schools participated in conference telephone calls, dubbed electronic "field trips," which allowed students and teachers to hear presentations from experts in politics, art, science, and the work world, and then ask questions. Presents evaluation results showing the program's strengths and weaknesses. Program…

Describes a technique to blend distance learning with traditional educational methods using electronic office hours to connect teachers and students outside the classroom. Explains the use of various existing computer mediated communication tools and techniques, including email, Usenet newsgroups, text-based conferences, video-based conferences,…

A nursing school used asynchronous computer conferencing for student discussion groups and three distance sites and one host site. Course evaluation showed students appreciated the ability to review discussions and reflect before commenting and felt team collegiality. A switch to different software reduced the technology learning curve, but…

A computer-conferenced nursing course was evaluated by 10 graduate students and 3 faculty. They identified such benefits as enriched learning, meaningful interaction, and opportunities for reflection, creativity, and flexibility. (SK)

Explains procedures for students participating in an author chat using the Internet, based on experiences with children's author Mary Pope Osborne and a third grade class. Discusses equipment needs, how to formulate appropriate questions, and benefits of online chats, including the immediate response time. (LRW)

Interactional features of an online graduate course conference were analyzed using the Transcript Analysis Tool (TAT) and structural elements using social network theory. Intensity and persistence of participation were unequal. The TAT showed the proportions of five modes of interaction (questions, statements, reflections, engaging comments, and…

Adult educators have a strong interest in designing courses that stimulate learning toward critical, more inclusive cultural perspectives. Critical reflection is a key component of both intercultural learning and a growing medium of instruction, the asynchronous computer conference (CC). This study combined qualitative methodology with a framework…

In this article we report research on the culminating seminar of an all-course Master of Education program. The seminar, a credit course, required students to construct and disseminate knowledge through an iterative process of critical dialogue and collegial critique. The research question was: Does this research seminar facilitate knowledge…

Background: Telemedicine, the provision of healthcare at a distance via telecommunication technology, has been used to address a wide range of health concerns in a variety of settings. Given the challenges schools face in keeping students healthy, telemedicine could be viewed as a mechanism to provide healthcare services directly to students in…

Online learning is transcending from the text-rich educational experience of the past to a video- and audio-rich learning transformation. The greater levels of media-rich content and media-rich interaction that are currently prevalent in online leisure experiences will help to increase e-learning's future efficiency and effectiveness. "Enhancing…