As part of the continuing efforts to improve the quality of online learning in the course and program offerings of a state-wide consortium of higher education institutions, the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium has undertaken a 3-year research project to better understand how online students first approach Web-based learning and how that…

This document presents the proceedings of the International Academy for Information Management's International Conference on Informatics Education and Research (ICIER), held December 14-16, 2001 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The keynote address was given by Joseph A. Grace, Jr., founding and current President of the Louisiana Technology Council.…

The Open Source Teaching Project (OSTP) is an attempt to apply a variant of the successful open source software approach to the development of educational materials. Open source software is software licensed in such a way as to allow anyone the right to modify and use it. From such a simple premise, a whole industry has arisen, most notably in the…

This document contains preconference seminar outlines for the 47th Annual Education Law Association (ELA) Conference. The first of four sections, "Americans with Disabilities Act Update--Higher Education and Employees," by Christopher P. Borreca, presents legal issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, an adequate definition…

Professional educators demand that their methods and instructional resources be soundly based on research and theory. From its origins nearly 40 years ago, the PLATO[R] system has built the largest base of basic research on computer-based learning in the field. Beginning with research funded by the National Science Foundation and conducted at the…

The goal of the Language Integrated Technology Grant Project (LIT) consortium was to help provide critical components of successful reading programs through a combination of proven computer/print programs and teacher training. Through leadership provided by the Educational Service District 113 (Olympia, Washington), the LIT consortium of schools…

The American Institutes for Research was commissioned by the Pew Internet & American Life Project to conduct a qualitative study of the attitudes and behaviors of Internet-using public middle and high school students drawn from across the country. The study is based primarily on information gathered from 14 gender-balanced, racially diverse focus…

The invention of computer-based writing program has revolutionized the way of teaching second language writing. Embedded with artificial intelligence scoring engine, it can provide students with both immediate score and diagnostic feedback on their essays. In addition, some of such programs offer convenient writing and editing tools to facilitate…

Computer conferencing (CC) is rapidly becoming a viable and useful adjunct to many distance education delivery systems. This paper deals with the general questions of what might constitute exemplary practice in using CC for teaching and learning, as well as features to look for when selecting a CC system. The "Do's" include: test the technology…

This paper provides a brief description of high tech stress as exhibited by students and teachers in virtual classes called "asynchronous anxiety," as well as ways of dealing with the problem. The paper challenges readers to become involved in a dialogue during the discussion. Highlights include: students' distrust of e-mail messages and…

This paper illustrates ways to combine online conference participation with face-to-face meetings and other social supports to humanize asynchronous electronic communications in an applied organizational communication class offered through the University of Hawaii at Manoa Communications Department. The overall methodology and intent of this…

The purpose of this review of literature was to synthesize a wide range of both quantitative and qualitative studies of teacher implementation of computer-assisted writing curriculum methods. Studies on the effect of computer-assisted learning, the relationship of computers and children's writing, and assessment methods for traditional and…

This final report describes findings of a 3-year study on the effects of an Interactive Technology Literacy Curriculum (ITLC) on emergent literacy knowledge and abilities of children (ages 3 to 5) with mild to moderate disabilities. Using a case study approach, 16 preschool classes in four types of classrooms in West Central Illinois communities…

This theme issue of the serial "Northwest Education" focuses on how teachers are using technology in diverse subjects, in addition to addressing the role of teachers in an environment of continuous change brought on by technological developments. The first article, "The Promise of Technology," argues that if technology is to…

This study explored the collaborative production of mathematical knowledge during computer-mediated learning activities. In particular, it focused on opportunities for undergraduate students from a local university to collaborate with elementary-aged at-risk children on commercially available computer games in an urban after-school club. Two types…