Defines transactional presence as the degree to which a distance student perceives the availability of, and connectedness with, other parties involved in a distance education setting. Analyzes distance education literature in light of interpersonal relationships and discusses the concepts of presence, telepresence, social presence, student-teacher…

Presents the author's experiences as an online student at the Open University (United Kingdom) as a case study to examine the relationship between interaction, reflection, and learning in distance education. Discusses reflection and experiential learning theory and proposes recommendations for course design that promotes the understanding of…

Ethical relationships arise from the interaction of the student, instructor and institution. Teaching is viewed here as leadership based upon moral and ethical principles, as opposed to technical ones. Student participation in a course involves recognizing and resolving various ethical issues, some of which focus on the instructor's actions. The…

Discussion of computer-mediated communication in open and distance learning focuses on how learner support of online-intensive and interactive forms of learning and teaching are conceptualized. Topics include virtual learning environments; collaborative learning; interpersonal response; identity; interaction; time and duration; institutional…

Examines the history of distance education in terms of its ability to foster communicative action. Discusses Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action; Critical Theory; rationality; the role of technology in distance education; correspondence study; multimedia instruction; computer-mediated distance education; and the potential for interactivity…

Reports on an innovative approach to delivering a university graduate course on distance education using several media at Pennsylvania State University. Topics include course design; teamwork; video; printed study guide; computer conferencing; audio conferencing; and designing for interaction. (Author/LRW)

Outlines the course development of an introductory large-scale distance education course offered via the World Wide Web at the Open University in the United Kingdom. Topics include developing appropriate student skills; maintaining quality control; facilitating easy updating of material; ensuring student interaction; and making materials…

Discussion of assessment in online distance education focuses on network-delivered model answers and peer review as additional formative feedback on assessment. Concentrates on the development of a critical approach to writing and the ability to communicate within a discipline in a course at the United Kingdom's Open University. (Author/LRW)

Outlines and evaluates the use of landlines for multisite video conferencing at the University of Ulster. Developments in video conferencing are described, increased opportunities for continuing and higher education for part-time students in Northern Ireland are discussed, initial reactions of students and teachers are reported, and future plans…

It is argued that language learning ought to be interactive. The traditional language classroom provides a favourable interactive situation for language learners. By contrast, the distance education mode is limited in some ways regarding language learning. Necessarily, distance education involves, primarily, self-learning. Face-to-face learning…