The purpose of the Web Retargetable Course Generation System, or "ReCourse," developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Massachusetts) is to facilitate both distance and on-campus learning via the World Wide Web. ReCourse's features include the ability to retarget a Web course for different levels of students, multi-user chat rooms, a…

This paper describes three government-funded technology programs in Portugal and the changes they brought about in Portuguese schools: (1) Project MINERVA (Computing Means in Education: Rationalization, Valorization, Actualization), launched in 1985 and ended in 1994, was an innovative program to introduce new technologies in schools; (2) Program…

This report summarizes findings and recommendations from the Road Ahead Program (1995-1997) of the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE), a nonprofit foundation of the National Education Association and funded by Bill Gates, cofounder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. Twenty-two sites in 15 states were selected by the NFIE.…

The rapid growth in the number of students taking classes via correspondence, video or television delivery in Washington state technical and community colleges during the last decade was largely due to the expansion of telecourse offerings and the recent growth of online (Internet-based) and interactive videoconferencing courses. In fall 1994,…

This paper discusses the need for university faculty to effectively model appropriate and engaging uses of computer technology in teacher education courses. Preservice teachers need to experience implementing meaningful ways to use available technologies in preparation of lessons and activities. Specific reference to infusion of technology in…

Numerous web sites on the Internet are dedicated to academic and career planning, market information, market trends, and job banks. A majority of the human resource management services offered on the Internet deal with the area of recruiting. The job placement activities emphasize searching vast databases of job openings and submitting resumes.…

Describes the partial conversion of Iceland's three-year teacher certification course into distance education mode. The social context and rationale of the project and the conditions and experience of participants in the initial phase of this pilot project are discussed. Technological and pedagogical concerns and program prospects are mentioned.…

Describes the California Indian Subject Specialist librarians, a voluntary organization that uses electronic mail to conduct its work and to build community. The potential of computer-mediated communication to build community among Native Americans is discussed. Information about the development of a global network for indigenous peoples is given.…

Describes various studies and projects on computer-mediated communication for enhancing second language learning and culture education, examining their impact on participating elementary, secondary, and college students. Results indicate that e-mail and teleconferencing provide authentic communication and foster awareness of languages and…

Explores the power of Digital Video Interaction (DVI) technology, specifically its ability to combine multimedia tools to form a single communication engine. Looks at what DVI is, its historical origins, its importance, how it works, and where its impact might be felt in the next century. Examines the potential of DVI in developing countries for…

Reports a study that tested the possibility of language instruction in a MOO (Multiple-User Domain, Object-Oriented). The experiment consisted of two groups: adult evening-school participants in Germany learning English-as-a-Second-Language and American college students in their fourth semester of college German. Partnerships were formed with one…

Describes a University of Pretoria (South Africa) computer-mediated course in distance education, designed to determine how the World Wide Web could be used as a virtual classroom with an electronic-mail listserv as a parallel discussion forum. A virtual classroom was created with virtual posters, virtual desks, and virtual portfolios. Student…

Presents examples of how computer-mediated communication (CMC) affects language learning, describing a successful CMC project involving a Minnesota middle school and a school in France. Students exchanged electronic mail over two years and eventually produced a student-written, bilingual, multicultural play. Though students differed in age and…

In the Community of Explorers Project (CoE) high school teachers and students engaged in scientific problem solving using advanced network technology and innovative pedagogy. Analysis of e-mail indicated the important effects of organizational and occupational cultures on the application of technology in classrooms and on the development of a…

Summarizes a study where students were not given full access to the Internet, but were exposed to a variety of Internet source material downloaded onto a network fileserver, and encouraged to communicate internally and externally using electronic mail. Recommends controlled use of the Internet for both the lecturer and student. (MJP)