This study used content analysis to identify the communication conventions and protocols that real-time, interactive electronic chat users developed in instructional settings. Most frequently used conventions included sharing information/techniques for conveying meaning and indicating interest in a topic, using keywords and names of individuals,…

Examines current academic-advising practices of distance-education programs, analyzing: advisor/student communication, delivery systems, support or reference materials, required occasions for academic advising, group advising, and evaluation. Frequently reported advising practices included communicating by telephone, using faculty advisors, and…

Argues that First Amendment rights are not possible without the grant of public access to information provided by the doctrine of fair use. Notes that, with digitalization and electronic transfer, many corporate intellectual-property lawyers are pressuring for tightening public access. Argues that educators must understand that the existence of…

Examines existing copyright law, the ambiguous case law concerning copyrightable material and educators; university policies toward patent and copyright law; and the changing nature of educational institutions in the 1990s. Considers the question of who "owns" an online composition course. Outlines issues that composition instructors need to…

Argues that, by approaching conventions of citation and prohibitions against plagiarism in the classroom from the perspective of copyright issues, students can come to a greater understanding of the nature of scholarship. Makes recommendations for teaching students about the issues involved, and suggests ways that authors, teachers, and…

Examines graduate students' perceptions of the educational value of their collaborative learning when using the Internet for course delivery. Respondents indicated that, although they enjoyed the convenience and opportunity for collaboration, a number of unsatisfactory elements were apparent with the instructional strategy and the delivery medium.…

Uses qualitative research methods to analyze a three-hour (48 contact hours) distance education course. Examines the reduction of social abrasion in distance education resulting from the combination of physical distance, emotional distance, simultaneous two-way verbal and visual access, private communication, and maintenance of distinct knowledge…

Focuses on possibilities for providing reference service to remote users of digital collections. Discusses international digital reference networks; factors that limit global electronic reference service; and drawbacks of e-mail and use of real-time interactive technologies for the reference encounter. Highlights some pioneering projects. (AEF)

This report explores electronic conferences as a medium in which community can develop among graduate students. Highlights include research in distance education, research in computer-mediated communication, learning outcomes, reflective thinking, community, professional socialization, and differences between individuals who posted entries to the…

Reports on one of the first projects in the United Kingdom which used the Internet to link schools with their local career service. Results of evaluations by staff and pupils in four secondary schools are discussed in terms of design features, access and communication issues, and further recommendations for development. (Author/AEF)

Analyzes the experiences and experiments of the Open University (OU), United Kingdom, in the use of computer conferencing over 10 years. Provides a framework for considering educational uses of the medium and describes several innovative applications. Highlights the main issues involved in implementing this technology. (Author)

Describes the potential of a FirstClass server in audioconferencing courses at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks using telecommunications, e-mail, student-to-student interaction, submission of assignments, e-mail, timely instructor feedback, and the transfer of files and multimedia documents. Student surveys indicated some positive aspects of…

Reviews efforts by the Arabian Gulf Region (21 countries) to develop the ARABMARC exchange format for cataloging non-Roman scripts. Provides details of the availability of the Arabic script support in various automated systems in operation in the Gulf Region. Presents a critical review of the Arabic script support on the Research Libraries…

Reviews the literature that has led to the possible transformation of scholarly publishing through electronic distribution of journals. Discusses the concepts of scholarly communication and computer mediated communication; network delivery experiments; CD-ROM delivery projects; acceptance by the scholarly community; and research and development.…

Provides details, expectations, and advantages of web-based and web-research tutorials. Describes the web-based instructional support services established for the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) intended to eliminate duplication of effort among the VCCS Learning Resource Centers, share the expertise of librarians throughout the VCCS, and…