This paper argues that in the information age the closed book, invigilated final examination has become an anachronism. Most significantly, it is an assessment instrument that does not assess deep conceptual understanding and process skills. Indeed, the anecdotal evidence one often hears from students is that "cramming" the night before…

The culture and traditions of colleges and universities have been foci of attention by strategic planners, development officers and consultants. Developing a unique market niche to attract students and keep alumni affiliated is a constant struggle. As we build new electronic universities and add electronic courses and dimensions of existing…

This study examined the qualities of good virtual teachers, investigating what aspects of teaching and learning college teachers and students considered the most important in a Web-based learning environment. Participants were teachers and students who taught or studied at Helsinki Virtual Open University from 1995-99. Respondents completed mailed…

This paper on World Wide Web-based continuing education begins with an overview of the concept of the virtual university and the creation of a community of scholars in the virtual university. The University of California Digital Library is then described, including: the strategic need for libraries to change; attributes of the traditional,…

Technological advances have equipped educational institutions with the capability to take classes to the student. Higher education institutions throughout the South are upgrading existing wide-area networks connecting buildings and campuses to create statewide "backbones" that will serve primary and secondary schools, libraries, offices,…

Discusses changes that are merging traditional, continuing, and distance education into the virtual university. Topics include for-profit or not-for-profit, the compatibility of the profit motive with the concept of quality education, cooperation between academic and corporate cultures, knowledge, information and communications technology,…

Describes the totally electronic library that serves Jones International University which provides Internet-delivered courses leading to bachelor's or master's degrees in Business Communication. Discuses accreditation and describes library services, including bibliographic instruction, reference, document delivery, interlibrary loan, and…

The second annual Rural Technology Institute (RTI) was a 3-day training event designed to help rural educators increase their school's or district's capacity to use technology for learning. Three strands focused on technology issues within the areas of administration, curriculum, or infrastructure support. Participating schools or districts were…

A large virtual university, a participant in a major distance study, is tracking students' enrollment in online or both online and face-to-face classes (i.e., mixed). Although an online students' profile provides data for examining the digital divide, one-time snapshots are inadequate. Time must be included as a dimension of any analysis of…

This paper contrasts two planned online university ventures, the Virtual University of Finland and the University of Australia Online. The meaning and operations of these institutions are considered with respect to the virtual teaching and research nexus, cost issues, and their capability to respond to quick changes in knowledge. The issue of…

This article recounts the development of a paradigm for a virtual university that is, one in which delivery is inextricably linked to the political, technological, social, and economic context of the institution at the University of North Carolina (Wilmington). It explains how, in just five years, a conservative, traditional, regional institution…

Examines the markets that are taking advantage of distance learning capabilities via the World Wide Web. Topics include the corporate market for self-paced computer-based training, the rise of the virtual university, government uses, the world wide classroom, team teaching, and tools for creating curricula. (LRW)

Describes the development and function of Western Governors University, a virtual university, and its implications for the role of the community college. Recommends that community colleges continue to develop the capacity to provide electronic instruction. Suggests that partnerships between virtual universities and community colleges will be…

Started in 1997, Washington Online Virtual Campus (WAOL) consists of a consortium of 34 community colleges around Washington State to provide asynchronous online learning. WAOL bears many of the features of a loosely coupled organization with its geographically dispersed frontline instructors, fragmented external environment, modularity of courses…

This paper presents the results of a nationwide survey of deans, associate deans, and directors who make recommendations concerning the admission of applicants to graduate programs in their colleges and universities. A questionnaire was sent to a sample of academic officers in public and private institutions describing three different types of…