This guide addresses the needs of those teachers from the literacy field who are just beginning to explore the Internet as an exciting medium to enhance learning. Chapters 1-3, "Internet Basics," offer a brief introduction to what the Internet is (e-mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, File Transfer Protocol, World Wide Web), how to get…

The use of MOOs, multi-user simulated environments in education examined in three papers include: "MOOving around the Net: The Educational Potential of MOOs: A Point of View" (Daniel Ingvarson); "MOOing in a Foreign Language: How, Why and Who?" (Lonnie Turbee) and "MOOving around the Net: Real to Virtual and Back…

This digest explores uses of the Internet for early childhood educators. The first section discusses six popular features of the Internet: (1) electronic mail, which provides educators with a worldwide group of peers with whom to share information; (2) Internet discussion groups, which provide users with the opportunity to be part of electronic…

Information feedback is widely believed to play an important role in cognitive processes such as monitoring and self-regulation. It has been linked to enhanced motivation and increased performance. Assisted by feedback, students confirm or change knowledge and modify cognitive processes for better performance. This study investigated self-selected…

In this paper, three models of participant interactions in a Web-based instruction courses were identified among a diverse group of seven adult learners in a Course-On-Line, Masters of Instructional Technology Program at the University of Malaya (Malaysia). The three models were named the cyclical model, the hierarchical model, and the parallel…

This paper argues that individual differences among undergraduate students are important factors to the effectiveness of asynchronous learning and that students' needs and perceptions must be taken into account in the design of Web-based instruction (WBI). A student typology is presented based on evidence from an ethnographic study of a WBI…

Universities are under increasing pressure to develop a virtual presence in the face of widespread global competition. Online courseware development and delivery presents many exciting opportunities, and brings with it a number of challenges to be overcome. This case study describes some of the experiences of the European Union-funded TISCAM…

Since 1999, and as part of an Ameritech grant, the author has systematically investigated use of streaming media to enhance face-to-face classes. Technology invites experimentation but raises questions about such things as student acceptance, student use, academic performance, and what to do with class time when lectures are put online. Students…

This paper describes some of the features of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and its uses in the teaching-learning process in elementary schools. In most schools, it is difficult for ICT to be used effectively in the teaching-learning process. The author observed many classes using ICT in elementary schools. Qualitative data, such as…

A middle school language arts teacher relates how she used the Internet to "scaffold" students' learning. She notes teachers have begun the shift from assigning rote homework to assigning independent work that gives the student the opportunity to test the information on his or her own, and that children need time to make the shift from…

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are learning management software systems that synthesize the functionality of computer-mediated communications software and online methods of delivering course materials. This report focuses on how to evaluate the properties, capabilities and orientation of different systems from an educational perspective, and…

During the 1996-97 academic year, a Principles of Management course was taught at Eastern Oregon State College to an on-campus group of juniors, using multiple technologies. The Internet was used as a source for print materials, resources, and research sites, and as a primary information dissemination medium. Electronic mail and listservs were…

This case study of electronic correspondence and interactions shares some things that seemed to work and some that didn't when a seventh grade remedial reading class chatted online with a university-based professor of curriculum and instruction. The middle school students and teacher became quite interested in this activity. These students were…

In the 21st century, VIVOs (voice-in/voice-out computers using visual displays but no text) will make written language obsolete. Written language is essentially a technology created 6,000 to 10,000 years ago for storing and retrieving information. VIVOs will perform this same function more easily, efficiently, and universally without requiring…

The International Communication section of the proceedings contains the following 15 selected papers: "'News Aid', the New Aid: A Case Study of Cambodia" (J. L. Clarke); "Development of Public and Private Broadcasting in Post-Communist Estonia: 1991-1996" (Max V. Grubb); "Revealing and Repenting South Korea's Vietnam…