Hundreds of districts are using high-speed videoconferencing for distance learning and resource sharing, inservice training, and districtwide meetings. Speed matters. Districts will need either Ethernet or ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) forms of wide-area networks to connect schools and offices. (MLH)

Reviews the literature on technology-based groups and presents the results of a survey of group practitioners which focused on their experiences with telephone and computer groups and other factors. Results show that this technology increased accessibility, convenience, and anonymity. Discusses implications of using telephones and computers for…

Describes two class activities which used a computer software program to allow junior and senior high students to discuss and create on computers, electronically, in real time. Describes an online discussion in a large group, as well as a pairing activity in which two students worked together online to create an original poem. (SR)

Describes Multiple-User Dungeons (MUDs), multiple-user computer programs that allow participants to interact with others in "real time" exchanges. Discusses their potential in the writing classroom and beyond, and notes their potential for faculty development activities. Offers a list of Internet resources, some actual MUD addresses, and other…

Project-based learning is a better method than formal education for solving work-related problems. A learning network approach makes the relationship between competence and work explicit and provides a typology of learning projects--liberal, vertical, horizontal, and external--depending on who organizes projects and for what purposes. (SK)

Suggests that teaching online can be advantageous to a teacher with a physical disability. Notes that the teacher's written voice may have more authority than the physical voice without the interference of students' perceptions of the teacher's physical body. Shows that both teachers and students can benefit from the freedom from concern about…

A study investigated various psychosocial factors related to the distress of 102 mothers whose children disclosed sexual abuse. Emotional distress was related to a maternal history of childhood sexual abuse, a maternal history of adolescent sexual abuse, lack of social support, and greater use of avoidance coping strategies. (Author/CR)

Many catalogs are built in an ad hoc fashion, which results in uncertain quality in publicly accessible network catalogs. This article discusses problems facing designers building catalogs for large networks, relating them to resource discovery; provides a usability framework based on library science and human computer interaction literature; and…

Discusses the history, goals, and partnerships of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) created in October 1997 and the hiring of Doug Van Houweling as CEO. UCAID supports Internet2 (or Internet II) a collaborative effort between higher education and industry to facilitate and coordinate the development of advanced…

Britain's University for Industry is proposed as a 21st-century version of the Open University, intended to stimulate training innovations through a national learning network using communications technologies. It is likely to succeed only by sponsoring a demand-led training culture and an accessible infrastructure. (SK)

Looks briefly at the history of World Wide Web search engine development and considers the current state of affairs. Reflects on future directions in terms of personalization, summarization, query expansion, coverage, and metadata. (Author/AEF)

Tests socioemotional selectivity theory among African Americans and European Americans. Older people reported as many close partners but fewer peripheral partners as their younger counterparts, thus confirming the theory. A greater percentage of close social partners in social networks related to lower levels of happiness among the young age group…

Describes a study that involved setting up an expanded counseling network with an emphasis on professional service provision, and combining this with the training and professional development of a network of part-time counselors. Ethical and practical issues are explored in detail, and encouragement is given to other institutions to use a similar…

Tested for social class differences in social support among older adults. Data suggest social class differences emerge when measures of contact with friends, support provided to others, and satisfaction with support are examined. Significant differences failed to emerge with indicators of contact with family, support received from others, and…

Provides educators with a basic understanding of what networks are and how they can be used in educational settings. Topics include issues, policies, and equipment involved in setting up a network; software; telephone service; a computer facilitator; and the Internet and the World Wide Web for elementary and secondary education. (LRW)