Examines current limitations of Web-based learning systems (WBLS) in higher education and describes a prototype Web-based Asynchronous Synchronous Environment (WASE) that is designed to circumvent those limitations. Includes 10 figures and 2 tables. (AEF)

The LearningByDoing eClassroom[C] is a highly structured synchronous application for teaching and doing research on medium to large sized groups over the Internet and is an open system for content delivery. Forty students, four facilitators, and a principle instructor can successfully co-create an environment which processes interactions similar…

This study of distance education students enrolled in a masters program taught entirely online describes the community building process of virtual learning teams as they form, establish roles and group norms, and address conflict. Topics include interaction within groups; factors that guided group process and decision making; collaboration; use of…

Examines the experiences of three instructors in Hawaii who have attempted to integrate online communication into their academic writing courses. Emphasizes that the underlying assumptions of what academic writing constitutes are fundamental in influencing how teachers integrate technology in the classroom. (Author/VWL)

Online discussions and transcriptions of face-to-face discussions by graduate students (14 online, 14 on campus) were analyzed. Technical support was not available 24 hours a day to online students who were predominantly women. Online discussions were more student-to-student, classroom discussions student-to-teacher. The analysis suggests how…

Surveyed master's of social work (MSW) students about their attitudes regarding the efficacy and ethics of online psychotherapeutic services (e-therapy). Perceptions varied considerably, but there was a moderately strong association between the belief that the ethical requirements of practice can be met online and positive attitudes about the…

Examines current research in the field of educational telecommunications through the lens of the social studies methods course. States that the findings reveal the benefits and drawbacks of using computer mediated communication in methods courses between two universities. Provides recommendations for effective future implementation and includes…

Highlights the life of one Chinese English-as-a-Foreign-Language teacher who uses computer-mediated communication and the Internet to provide his students with communicative language experiences. (Author/VWL)

Describes an on-going computer-mediated communication (CMC) cross-cultural project between French and American university students. Explores the possibilities and limits of CMC, using the research of Paul Ricaeur and Claire Kramsch, who provide a practical and theoretical framework in which to analyze student-authored writing. (Author/VWL)

Examines instructor perceptions regarding issues of civility in online instructional communication. A survey containing fixed-choice statements was completed by 32 instructors at Northern Arizona University. Summary descriptive statistics were computed for each fixed-choice survey item. Six tables and four figures present results. The survey is…

Investigates a graduate-level online course in which groups of four students were used to lead online discussions. The teams were examined for their ability to bring instructional design, discourse facilitation, and direct instruction to the discussion. Results indicate that the peer teams fulfilled each of the three roles and valued the…

Focuses on distance learning ventures. Discusses surviving for-profit ventures of traditional universities; other distance learning ventures that appear to be working; the state of virtual universities and consortia; lessons learned from online for-profit ventures; challenges; and a strategy for traditional non-profit institutions to develop a…

Discusses Canada's Public Advisory Council on Information Highway Policy (PACIHP) project, including attempts to involve the online community in policy making, the techniques used, the response, and the impact; and the Canadian regulatory and political environment. Thoughts are presented on the future of computer mediated communication and its…

Presents a practical guide to use of the Internet. Topics discussed include getting connected; the UNIX operating system; electronic mail; FTP (File Transfer Protocol); Finger; Telnet; Archie; Veronica; Gopher; teacher education; the Yanoff List; and expansion of the Internet. (three references) (LRW)

Discusses the concept of distance educators sending a mass distribution of messages to students via electronic mail. The concept uses course information databases to customize and generate message content. Describes steps of using off-the-shelf commercial software to process course data and send it to course participants by electronic mail via the…