Describes the organization, operation, and evaluation of an experimental online electronic conference for 450 chemistry educators from 33 countries that was conducted on the Internet. Advantages and disadvantages of online conferencing compared to traditional methods of scholarly discourse are discussed, and future plans are described. (Author/LRW)

Includes "Planning Laboratory Design" (Storm); "Perkins Money for Automotive Programs" (Cash); "Stretching a Budget" (Warren); "Video Teleconferencing--Powerful Communication for Occupational Educators" (Major); "Danger: Hazardous Materials" (Brown); and "Keeping Facilities Safe--Electrical…

Discussion of computer conferencing in distance and higher education focuses on a study that examined the reactions of lecturers in the Information Management Division at Queen's University (Belfast) to the possibility of using computer conferencing. Perceived benefits and drawbacks for both instructors and students are discussed. (10 references)…

Increasingly, colleges and universities are using video conferencing to cut administrative travel budgets and improve productivity. Texas A&M University uses the technology to link eight campuses statewide. Declining costs and enhanced picture quality make video conferencing more appealing to many institutions. It is also used for distance…

Reports on the use of an electronic network in a school-based initial teacher education course to facilitate discussion between participants. Discusses computer conferencing; the presence of a public audience on the network; collaboration; and issues regarding participation in a virtual community. Contains 46 references.(Author/LRW)

Examined effects of interactive videoconferencing (IVC) on pharmacy students' (n=26) academic performance and pharmacy instructors' (n=4) teaching evaluations. There was no difference in performance between students who attended live lectures and students who received lectures via IVC. However, students rated IVC instructors lower than live…

Describes the use of SoftArc Intranet FirstClass, a collaborative learning environment that uses computer conferencing, and discusses pros and cons of choosing this system for running online courses from a distance. Presents case studies from Italy and presents viewpoints of students, tutors, designers and administrators. (Author/LRW)

Examines the issues in a case study surrounding the integration of videoconferencing and Web-based instruction to bring the literature of journalism to life for undergraduate students. Sets forth examples of principles and practices for successful integration of distance education and general education. Also describes the students' reactions in…

Presents a theoretical systems model for computer-mediated conferencing. Discusses Habermas' criteria for emancipative discourse (i.e., liberation or emancipation is increasing a person's abilities and opportunities to make rational choices about matters important to that person). Demonstrates why computer conferencing is best suited to…

Group treatment, education, support, and organizational and community participation are now available through telephone and computer technology. A review of professional, popular, and social psychology literature, and a conceptual framework for social work practice is presented. Ways to prepare social workers and guidelines for practice are…

Looks for appropriate interaction analysis/content analysis techniques that assist in examining the negotiation of meaning and coconstruction of knowledge in collaborative learning environments facilitated by computer conferencing. Reviews strengths and shortcomings of existing interaction analysis techniques and proposes a new model based on…

This study on the effects of scaffolding electronic case-based learning on preservice teacher education explored the use of an asynchronous computer conferencing tool called COW (Conferencing on the Web) to determine whether open-ended learning environments that encouraged critical thinking could foster a greater degree of course connections and…

This paper reports an investigation of the impact of students cognitive style on their effective use of educational text-based computer-mediated conferences. The research centres on an empirical study involving students from three courses run by the British Open University. Statistical analysis of the data does not suggest that cognitive style has…

This article briefly reviews initiatives that have attempted to create communities of educators using Web-based, electronic conferencing. The authors critically analyze the advocacy for electronic communication as a medium for bringing educators together across time and distance with an emphasis on what is known about urban schools, access to…

A comparison was conducted of "Voxwire MeetingRoom" and "iVocalize" v4.1.0.3, both Web-conferencing products using voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) to provide unlimited, inexpensive, international audio communication, and high-quality Web-conferencing fostering collaborative learning. The study used the evaluation criteria used in earlier…