Design of student-centered instruction for telecourses must take into consideration the variables that contribute to meaningful and motivated student learning: clarity; connections; teacher immediacy behaviors; and active learning. Unlike much conventional instruction, telecourse teaching isn an intensive and demanding team process requiring…

Reports on an experiment that tested whether course length and concentration affect learning. Using the "Economics U$A" television series, compares student performance in two classes taught over differing time periods. Results implied that concentrated time periods for courses may lead to more concentrated student effort. (LS)

Discusses results of a survey of 35 Oklahoma schools that received satellite downlinks as part of the Star Schools Assistance Act to investigate the extent to which schools were continuing to use the equipment and the impact of satellite access on educational programs. Future retention studies are suggested. (Contains four references.) (LRW)

Describes a study to determine if the personality traits of students in televised college-level courses differ from those of students in traditional courses, and to identify the specific traits predictive of successful performance in televised classes. Results showed that telecourse students do have a unique profile and traits for success. (LRW)

Reviews distance-education technologies, their uses for rural schools, and related issues. Lists advantages and disadvantages for satellite TV teaching, microcomputer networks, and two-way TV instruction. Concludes that technologies' advantages outweigh disadvantages. Suggests final decision making and assessment depend on local program content…

Describes the Instructional Telecommunications Consortium's 1991 "Symposium on Telecommunications and the Adult Learner," reviewing reasons the symposium focused on telecourses, and discussing five major imperatives for the continuing expansion of telecourses: thinking strategically, identifying learning needs, redefining telecourses, raising the…

Presents the results of two surveys conducted to evaluate distance education courses offered at a community college: one of students who enrolled in, but did not complete, a distance education course; and one of the faculty and administrators involved in telecourse planning and delivery. Describes how the results were used to improve the programs.…

This article describes two distance education programs in the area of severe disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte project and project UPLIFT, each of which uses a multi-university consortium. Technologies employed in each project are discussed and preliminary data are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of distance…

Discusses electronic learning and considers lessons to be learned from the history of distance education. Topics include pedagogical issues; video-based distance learning; telecourses; the Internet; Web courses; high costs of developing online courses, versus licensing already developed courses; instructional design, bandwidth, and student support…

To help meet the needs of adult students who find it difficult to attend classes regularly on campus, New York's Iona College developed video distance learning courses in psychology that combine independent reading, guided study, video program viewing, and faculty mentoring to provide a challenging learning experience for students. Video courses…

This document presents nine bibliographies, compiled from training materials used at workshops conducted by Project RETOOL, on the integration of special education technology into the higher education curriculum. Workshop topics include: "Effective Uses of Technology for Teaching Math, Science, Social Studies, and Writing";…

The purpose of the symposium reported in this document was to define the major needs of technology-based distance education and to recommend appropriate future actions. The 1-day roundtable assembled 40 of the most knowledgeable leaders in the United States and Canada on serving adults' postsecondary learning needs through telecommunication. The…

This paper provides an overview of distance learning activities in Connecticut and addresses the feasibility of such activities. Distance education programs have evolved from the one dimensional electronic mail systems to the use of sophisticated digital fiber networks. The Middlesex Distance Learning Consortium has developed a long-range plan to…

During the summer of 1982, the Atlanta Public Schools sponsored four instructional television programs. The courses were designed to provide remedial instruction in reading and mathematics for target first, second, and ninth grade students. Questionnaires were administered to determine the success of the telecourses based upon the extent to which…

An investigation was conducted to describe the context of distance learning by examining the factors to which first-year distance learners attribute their success and failure and the influences on those attributions. It tested the attribution theory of achievement motivation in a distance learning setting. The method was a qualitative case study:…