Argues that a carefully designed and skillfully moderated asynchronous Internet classroom environment can help minimize problems related to gender in traditional classrooms. Discusses class "climate" and class discussion in the traditional classroom and in the online classroom. Notes research related to gender and the online classroom. Outlines…

Results of this case study of a university-level course delivered by computer conferencing suggest that the emergence of a dynamic and interactive educational process that facilitates critical thinking is contingent on appropriate course design, instructor interventions, content, and students' characteristics. (AEF)

Striving to streamline student services and improve electronic communication, colleges and universities are signing on with companies that offer sophisticated World Wide Web sites through which students can accomplish basic administrative functions and receive information. The sites are often free of charge but also feature advertising messages…

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has made remarkable progress in the area of networking. An education network is being developed to provide mass training and resource-based learning. The development of networked education in India is highlighted and a model is suggested for the virtual classroom. (Author/AEF)

Used computer-mediated communication (CMC) to support postgraduate students in distance-education contexts, examining how CMC could reduce transactional distance and noting the construction of learning communities within an online environment and the socioacademic nature of such communities. Results indicate that CMC can support the construction…

Describes the experiences learned in using the Internet for teaching students at the master level. Focuses on what seems to work and what does not work. Discusses the minimum equipment needed to make the course a successful one. (AEF)

Knowledge of electronic media includes recognizing different needs for information, understanding and using different measures of value, and understanding ethical issues. Skills relate to retrieving, managing, organizing, using, preserving, and communicating information. These complex abilities are explored, earlier work is described, and…

Briefly highlights the work of one of the early pioneers of online education, Dr. Linda M. Harasim. Harasim stated five characteristics for online education and included active learning through peer communication and social process of knowledge building in the overall theory and definition of distance education. Other early contributors to…

Discusses issues of instructional design for information literacy in the distance environment. Examines the selection of technologies for effective distance learning; ways active learning approaches can be incorporated into distance education information literacy classes; and ways of assessing information literacy learning outcomes in a distance…

Examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of online education based on a review of the literature. Discusses the three major variables contributing to success in online learning--instructional design, social matters, and students' personal factors; findings of case studies analyzing cost-effectiveness; and factors affecting…

Discussion of asynchronous communication in online learning environments focuses on a collaborative, constructivist discussion that considered what constitutes acceptable participation in an online doctoral forum. Presents selections from a class discussion and concludes that students see the value of counting contributions even though they object…

Examines issues involved in academic publishing on the Internet in the context of experiences with the listserv ITForum, which deals with theories, research, new models, and practices in the field of instructional technology. Discusses subscribers and opportunities for authors; developing a research community; and potentials and pitfalls of…

Emphasizes the unique advantages of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for teaching genetics. CMC allows students to collect larger sample sizes than other methods and from any part of the world in a very short time. Describes hardware and software requirements, useful tools and techniques, and a sample project on human genetics for a…

Presents observations about developments in information technology that will influence the information industry and libraries of the future. Discusses search engine capabilities; push technology; electronic commerce; WebTV; and optical discs with links to Web sites. Ten figures provide illustrations and charts. (AEF)

A political science professor at James Madison University (VA) constructed a Web page to support an undergraduate course in government. This article defines Web-site goals and audience, reviews other sites, and discusses organization of Web links and technical choices for HTML editor, page layout and use of image, audio, and video files. Stresses…