Influences on the development of international distance education are examined, focusing on the trend toward privatization of higher education and anticipated cooperation between media leaders and universities. Factors in the success of such efforts and the response of critics are considered, and the conclusions drawn by a major Australian report…

The Hilton Central School District, New York, utilized the collective bargaining process to create a financial incentive that would motivate teachers to achieve a baseline level of technological competency. Describes the negotiated agreement, results obtained during the initial year of implementation, and future plans. (MLF)

Explanation of the technological setting in which college and university financial systems have developed is provided for financial officers, to aid in devising a plan for the chart of accounts and erecting an efficient, logical, flexible financial structure. Topics include software/hardware advances, understanding the demand for financial…

Several brief articles examine how library and information workers in Australia, along with community historians, are meeting the challenge of finding, cataloging, preserving, and communicating local history to their clients and the world beyond. Describes cooperative initiatives by state, local, and regional libraries; discusses how technology…

With minimal costs, desktop-presentation programs such as PowerPoint can be a first step in introducing computer technology into the college classroom. They offer visual appeal, capacity for organizing notes, animated graphics, more class time for interactive activities, up-to-date information through links to the World Wide Web, and the ability…

Presents a perspective on the growing and evolving nature of distance learning, its history, and the research that informs practice. Explores the development of online distance education and discusses considerations in designing online instruction, including pedagogical concerns, organizational issues, and institutional issues. (AEF)

Defines the six key pressures that have given rise to the emerging enterprise academic-computing imperative. These include the pressure to (1) improve instructional quality; (2) unify disparate academic-computing resources; (3) demonstrate return on network investment; (4) reach more students; (5) lower costs in delivery of instruction; and (6)…

Examines the appropriateness of the concept of "key skills" in higher education in the United Kingdom, as defined by the 1997 Dearing Commission report, and the processes required to achieve this ideal in the current higher education environment. The report distinguishes between high-level intellectual skills and the key skills of…

Presents a review of D.A. Schreiber and Z. Berge's book, "Distance Training: How Innovative Organizations Are Using Technology To Maximize Learning and Meet Business Objectives" (Jossey-Bass, 1998). The book explores, through reports/cases how corporations are implementing new technologies in addressing ongoing new training requirements.…

Describes changes in scientific research methods that have been brought about by the use of computers. Presents an example of the falling of a body in a fluid to show students how computers can be used to experiment with mathematical models and to automate experiments. Contains 11 references. (Author/WRM)

Describes efforts in the United Kingdom to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into schools and the government's aim to have teachers acquire network literacy. Discusses innovation and change in education; results of a study that investigated teachers' attitudes about the impact of ICT; and the need for teacher's professional…

Describes Dean Kamen's FIRST foundation (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and its sporting competition that offers high school students hands-on acquaintance with robots of their own creation; its goal is to inspire students to pursue future studies in science and technology by showing them that learning in this area can…

The over abundance of general information and health information on the World Wide Web and the use of computer technology in medicine have changed our communication behavior, introducing fractal communication and the use of infoids. These developments may lead to misinformation and have an impact on communication between patient and doctor.…

Identifies dramatic changes in higher education and argues that developments in information technology will make significant contributions to learning and teaching. Concludes that future developments will involve academics in changing the attitudes of staff and students, promoting a mixture of on- and off-campus provision, raising student…

Examines why technology and media are critical to distance education, what attributes may contribute to distance education, and factors that must be taken into account when adopting and integrating media into distance education, including changing roles and responsibilities. Looks at barriers to expanded use of media in distance education and the…