This article describes what is involved in electronic communication, how British Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) feel about using it, and the conditions under which it can be used effectively. SENCos felt that electronic communication supplemented other sources of support and provided access to information sources beyond local…

Considers recent developments in Web-based community networks. Examines fundamental attributes and describes various types of paradigms. Presents considerations for the planning process, which address implementation, technical, budgetary, design, operational, and functional issues and concerns. (Author/AEF)

Describes a training system designed and developed by the Portuguese Welding and Quality Institute of Macau for all aspects of open learning. Highlights include the technical training of teachers, using the Internet; the Asian version; and new challenges resulting from new training technologies such as shared multimedia networks. (Author/LRW)

Describes PATRON (Performing Arts Teaching Resources ON-line) at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) that was designed to deliver digital audio, video, music scores, and dance notation across a high-speed network to the desktop. The principle aim is to improve access to reserve materials for staff and students. (Author/LRW)

Presents the ALEXIA system, a lexical-learning environment for French as a second or foreign language, and describes its network module, which can automatically build graphs of certain lexical semantic relations. (Author/VWL)

Describes the model used to assess the cost and quality of student computing at Indiana University, Bloomington, and its application in a recent assessment. Three families of measures (quality, cost, value) are used to assess the performance of the campus system. (MSE)

Discusses telematics and the use of computer networks to support collaborative education, both among teachers for training and planning and among students in their learning process. Highlights include traditional class groups and groups using computer-mediated communication; teachers' roles; learning circles for teachers; online teacher training;…

Considers an interactive messaging system that was set up on the Internet to enable Hong Kong teachers of English to discuss language-related issues as part of the TeleNex teacher-support network. Describes how grammatical explanations based on the analysis of corpus data are routinely used to answer teachers' queries. (Author/VWL)

Describes a collaborative program undertaken by a Massachusetts district to enhance preschool students' learning readiness when entering kindergarten. The program consisted of three elements: networking local and area programs and services; improving the quality of programs and services; and increasing access to family services. (11 references)…

Discusses UtahLINK, the most widely connected state online education system in the United States, and SiteFIre, a server-resident software package that speeds up Web access and stores Web-site data directly in user-designated folders. Describes the instructional possibilities and benefits of using UtahLINK and SiteFire. (AEF)

Answers the "why,""who," and "what to do" of developing a dynamic coalition. Suggests that promoting clear communication is the basis for successful coalition, and describes these steps of an effective communication model: developing a communication culture, becoming a team, and celebrating. (AEF)

Examines three main aspects of using the Internet in education concerning (1) activities that can be carried out on the Internet; (2) skills and knowledge teachers need to make full use of the opportunities that networking offers; and (3) classification of the educational goals that can be pursued with the aid of networking. (AEF)

Reports experiences with problem-based learning that was modified for distance education and used for teaching energy issues at Uppsala University (Sweden). Discusses the use of computer networks, collaborative learning, the Internet, pictures as problem presentation, teacher perspectives, and student perspectives, including social aspects.…

Discusses the PCs for Families experiment, a longitudinal quantitative and ethnographic study of networked computing in the fifth-grade classroom examining how networked computing affects students' educational achievements, attitude and professional development of teachers and support instructors, and how families support students and react to the…

Reviews the literature on changes in academic library organizations and describes the results of a survey of library directors that investigated concepts of a virtual library, both as digital technology and as a new organizational concept. Discusses models of virtual libraries and library networking, and includes a copy of the questionnaire.…