Reports on a two-year study of an online program for teacher professional development. Survey data from twenty-six online students and in-depth case studies of four students, revealed five dimensions that contribute to effective online learning: relevant and challenging assignments; coordinated learning environments; adequate and timely feedback…

Discusses results of the evaluation of an educational teleconferencing system in a Mexican university. Highlights include student expectations; student perceptions of efficacy for self-regulated learning; student perceptions of the course; differences from traditional courses; and the importance of considering student variables in evaluations of…

This study of 550 participants was designed to test an integrated theoretical model (the 4-E Model) for predicting the likelihood of the use of telecommunications-related technological innovations in learning-related settings. The four "Es" are: environmental factors, effectiveness, ease of use, and (personal) engagement. Results, which supported…

Valdosta State University (Georgia) uses audio/video conferencing in its teacher education program, a low-cost alternative to travel that enables student teachers to access the expertise of their supervisors more frequently; supervisors to observe student teachers; simultaneous interactions between supervisor, student teacher, and mentor, or among…

Discussion of the Florida Learning Support Systems, being developed by schools and businesses to better utilize information technology in education, focuses on use of the Internet as background communication, or communication between applications running on different computers without human intervention to develop new kinds of instructional and…

The Consortium Interactive Research on Collaborative Learning Environments (CIRCLE) project was designed to develop a model of four-way collaborative distance learning that places relatively small demands on university technological resources. Results of trials indicated that interaction over high bandwidth video channels worked well with little…

Discusses how the use of a newsgroup with elementary preservice teachers enabled discussion on classroom management, course-related, and controversial issues. Using this electronic format, students also supported each other through decision-making processes and stressful situations. The electronic discussion group became a forum where students…

Suggests that in distance education, "anytime" learning is as important as "anyplace" learning, and that true "anytime" learning is directly related to how much technology is used to make admission and enrollment flexible, and to allow students to move forward at their own pace. Using computer technology to make time…

Addresses issues surrounding the process of information and communications technology training (ICT), and the application of training outcomes in the workplace. Provides an overview of content and design features of the multimedia resource "Ensuring Effectiveness of ICT Training" and reports on its evaluation. Discusses design issues, training…

This case study shows how an English-as-a-Second-Language teenager in the United States created literacy experiences for himself through involvement in various forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on the Internet. Analyzes the learner's information on textual identity through the theoretical constructs of voice, design, and…

This study researched the process of collaborative learning that occurred when Master of Business Administration students used computer-mediated communication as a means of small group and large group communication. Discusses potential for collaborative learning in distance education; group interaction; social construction of knowledge; student…

Canadian surveys of approximately 1,000 parents and 5,600 students aged 9-17 revealed student behaviors related to surfing the Web and engaging in online communication; differences in parent and student perceptions of students' Internet activities and the extent of parental supervision; and students' access to pornographic and violent Web sites.…

Reports on the use of short stories in Internet discussions to promote student learning. Describes off-campus teacher education students using CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) discussions of short stories and discusses results that show the use of narratives can improve the social environment of online conferences and contribute to…

Growing numbers of libraries are experimenting with a new form of interactive reference to extend service to their patrons at the point-of-need and time-of-need. Examines digital reference for the altered user culture and point-of-need service products. Describes a pilot project offering chat reference service. Discuses developing service…

Evaluates use of BSCW (a groupware system) shared workspaces in higher education by means of a comparison of seven courses in which this environment was used. Identifies different functions for which the BSCW environment has been used and discusses the relative success of these functions across the cases. (AEF)