The introduction of web-based education in Canadian schools, as in other developed countries, has been particularly noticeable in rural areas. Small schools in rural communities have continued to get smaller as families relocate in urban areas in search of increased educational and vocational opportunities. There are a number of issues common to…

Virtual environments (VEs) are growing in popularity among educators and have unique potential for online learning. This paper describes the unique characteristics of VEs that make them an effective venue for online learning due to increased environmental presence. Unique characteristics of VEs include nature of visual stimuli, control of the…

This annual report, in its eighth edition, found that after several years of growth, the EMO (Education Management Organization) industry appears to be entering a period of reconfiguration. In this year's "Profiles", the number of companies listed and the number of schools they manage are down slightly; student enrollment in EMO-managed…

Over the next decade, the United States will face ever increasing competition in the global economy. To an overwhelming extent, this competition will involve the mastery and application of new technologies in virtually every field of human endeavor. It will place particular emphasis on the need for heightened skills in mathematics and science. It…

Describes the adaptation for distance learning of an MBA organizational behavior course. Explains that the most effective strategy involved conducting group exercises and role plays synchronously in the chat room. A student survey indicated that online students developed skills comparable to face-to-face students. (EV)

Discusses key issues arising from the 12 online degree programs offered through the University of Texas's TeleCampus, including their collaborative nature and methods used to ensure that each course meets a high-quality standard. (EV)

Asserts that it behooves an organization like the American Association of University Professors, a major role of which is to protect academic freedom, to make sure that the integration of online instruction into the activities of traditional higher education will give rise to the same guarantees as to academic freedom and quality as in traditional…

Data from the log files of a synchronous, online classroom designed for experiential learning focused on interpersonal communication were analyzed to determine the impact of effective group facilitation on attentiveness, interaction, involvement, and participation. The data demonstrate a social network of interactions and suggest that people…

Discusses the seven popular Wingspread Principles (principles for good practice in undergraduate education) in terms of their implications for learning spaces, both physical and virtual. (EV)

Identifies a number of algebraic constructs that emerge from conducting investigations in a Logo environment. Details the intellectual struggle of a number of students as they interact with the environment. Reports on the development of a series of comparative case studies with seven students enrolled in an online talent education development…

For Mike Simeck, superintendent of the 900-student Dansville, Michigan, school district, adding online courses to the district's high school class offerings means enhancing the curriculum, not necessarily saving dollars. A nonprofit company, Virtual High School is one of the leaders in online course delivery on the K-12 level, offering more than…

Teaching online courses presents new and unique experiences--especially for those of us who started as educators more than a quarter century ago. Teaching a course where there is no face-to-face contact with the learner eliminates the unspoken language of nonverbal clues that teachers use to get a feel for their classrooms. The instructor of a…

The Virtual Patient, an interactive multimedia learning resource using a critical care clinical scenario for postgraduate nursing students, was developed to enhance flexible access to learning experiences and improve learning outcomes in the management of critically ill patients. Using real-time physiological animations, authentic content design…

This paper describes how two research methodologies, grounded theory and action learning, were combined to produce a rigorous yet creative and flexible method for field study of a recent IT-based innovation, virtual teams. Essentially, an action learning program was used to train facilitators of virtual teams and generate research data while…

Using interview-based "insider case study" research, this paper outlines why the University of Salford has adopted a Learning Technologies Strategy and examines the factors which are likely to lead to its successful implementation. External reasons for the adoption focused on the need to: respond to "increased Higher Education (HE)…