This discussion of the benefits of audio teleconferencing for distance education programs and for business and government applications focuses on the recent experience of Canadian educational users. Four successful operating models and their costs are reviewed, and it is concluded that audio teleconferencing is cost efficient and educationally…

Reviews a computerized monitoring system for distance education students at Athabasca University designed to solve the problems of tracking student performance. A pilot project for tutors is described which includes an electronic conferencing system and electronic mail, and an evaluation currently in progress is briefly discussed. (LRW)

There is an assumption that high-school students are becoming more computer literate, but published studies of specific skill level are lacking. An anonymous multiple-choice survey self-assessed the ICT (information and communication technology) skills of first-year chemistry students at the beginning of 2002. The general level of ICT skill…

This report describes the activities and outcomes of a pioneering Telehealth project in which clinical psychologists use state of the art satellite technology to consult with paraprofessionals who live and provide treatment settings to persons with the dual diagnosis of developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. The goal is to provide early…

This book is designed to assist educators' exploration of the Internet and educational resources available online. An overview lists the five basic types of information exchange possible on the Internet, and outlines five corresponding telecomputing options. The book contains an overview and four sections. The chapters in Section One,…

The purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to discuss issues related to the design of interaction on the World Wide Web using models of interaction developed for distance education; (2) to examine several techniques for the analysis of interactions and the quality of the learning experience in a computer-mediated group conference; and (3) to…

This paper summarizes what the author has seen go wrong in six years of participation in online discussions and recommends some remedies. The emphasis is on helping discussion leaders to structure and guide online discussions for maximum effectiveness. The paper has a focus on learning environments, which are central to both formal academic…

This paper reports on a course format where a group of in-service teachers works together with a group of computer science and mathematics majors via a computer conferencing system. Most of the time, participants studied using the Internet, but at the end they produced and presented a seminar paper together in pairs. This type of course has now…

DUET, a project of Mount Saint Vincent University, uses cable television and video teleconferencing to solidify links between the university and community it serves. DUET is also an experimental laboratory for the university to explore video production and distribution systems as support tools for higher education. (Author/MBR)

Describes five telecommunications delivery systems offered or planned by Rio Salado Community College: cassette copies of radio/television courses in public libraries; "live" cable television; print-based correspondence courses; audio teleconferencing; and slow-scan video. Underscores the importance of administrative support, faculty…

Examines instructional interaction among people using a computer-based electronic message system, and contrasts it with conventional face-to-face discussion in a college level class. Ways to organize instruction using electronic message systems to take advantage of new properties and avoid shortcomings are described. Twelve references are…

Describes a two-way cable television system used in a supplementary educational program in the Irvine, California, school district. Equipment for the teleconferencing system, which uses two channels on the cable network simultaneously, program costs, and sampling of telecourses are discussed. A separate insert by Carl Levine discusses negotiating…

Examines applications of media for continuing education, communication, and training programs in business, government, and medical service organizations, and provides economic analysis of the time- and cost-effectiveness of media use. (SK)

Reports on a research and development project based at Simon Fraser University (Canada) involving the use of interactive television in teacher education. Describes several interactive television conferences that have taken place in British Columbia using a fiber optics telephone network. Discusses pedagogical styles and interaction considerations.…

Describes a study of undergraduates that investigated the extent to which an electronic conferencing system, COW (Conferencing on the Web) facilitated preservice teachers' communication outside their classroom when discussing teaching cases from their field experiences, and the potential of COW and case-based instruction to foster quality…