Examines factors that will influence how distance education is practiced in the first few decades of this new century. Discusses developments in digital technology; the exponential growth of knowledge about the brain, as well as physiology, chemistry, and psychology of learning; the system relationship between individual learners and instructors;…

Reviews the recent literature in educational technology to identify the contours of research and debate in the current "topography." Addresses the research questions being framed in educational technology; questions that are not (and should be) framed; what the literature concludes about effects of multimedia on the ability of students…

Reports the results of a number of research projects undertaken by the Learning in Virtual Environment (LIVE) research group at De Montfort University (Leicester, UK). These projects included surveys of staff and student attitudes and their experience of videoconferencing. Results identify important issues, including technical, human,…

Describes an instrument developed to measure teachers' attitudes toward the use of Web resources in the classroom. A factorial analysis revealed an estimated alpha internal consistency score of .90 for a sample of United States teachers, .65 for teachers from Thailand, and an overall estimated alpha internal consistency score of .85. The…

Examines implications of the research regarding whether traditional "stand up" training will be replaced by "sit down" computer-based, online distance-delivered sessions. Concludes that they will coexist in the training environment of the next decade, that some organizations will gravitate toward one extreme or the other, but that most trainers…

A study tested keyword captioning, in comparison with full-text captioning and no captioning, in video programs for French second-language instruction, based on the hypothesis that keywords offer less to read. Results indicate keyword captions resulted in greater comprehension than no captions; full-text captions resulted in the greatest…

Describes how to plan computer-based activities for second-language classrooms, noting ways that computer use differs in such classrooms. Explains how to plan a lesson, focusing on the activity, grade level, time requirements, software, preparation time, teaching method, pre- and post-computer work, skills used, and teacher's role. Sample lessons…

Computers are valuable in meeting all students' needs within heterogeneous second-language classrooms, mainly because they allow for individualized learning, interactivity, learner independence, varied learning strategies, and heterogeneous teaching style. Computers help teachers challenge more able learners while supporting less able learners.…

Israel's Education Ministry is equipping all schools with modern computers and software over five years. As schools receive hardware and software, teachers receive training. Both sophisticated and basic hardware and software are currently available. For English-language teaching, the word processor is the most important computerized tool, along…

Discusses computer-assisted language learning for foreign-language teachers, examining the history of educational technology and highlighting CD-ROM for foreign language learning. Looks at various frustrations foreign-language teachers may experience when working with new hardware and software, discusses various types of hardware and software, and…

Basic concepts of Internet technology and available resources are outlined, and possible avenues for applying the technology in daily projects and activities in business administration education are discussed. Applications in teaching, research, and service are illustrated. Internet addresses offering resources for finance educators, scholarly…

Analysis of a survey of 42 undergraduate students rating ease of learning psychomotor skills, intellectual skills, attitudes, and verbal information from books, television, computers, and interactive video. Data analysis indicated a significant medium by domain interaction. Interviews revealed student perceptions were influenced by capabilities of…

Analyzes current research on successful distance education programs. Reviews the learning communication process; identifies responsibilities of the deliverer: conduct a learner needs assessment, know how to use the technology, address multiple learning styles, promote interaction, project a friendly image, be a team player, operate from a systems…

Presents a plan for learning in the future, based on a new approach for universally available learning, utilizing existing and developing communication technologies. The L-CS describes the interrelationships between the Learner, a Consultation Agency, a Resource Center and Communication Access Facilities, all of which are linked together on a…

Provides an overview of virtual reality from an education perspective. Defines the technology in terms of equipment and participatory experience, examines the potential applications of virtual reality in education and training, and considers the concerns and limitations of the technology. Overall, research indicates that virtual reality offers…