This article discusses principles involved in developing course materials for technology-mediated Chinese language learning, with examples from a new course designed to take into account the needs of distance and independent learners. Which learning environment is most efficient for a given learning activity needs to be carefully considered. It…

This paper outlines the strategies employed by the Graduate Programmes Department of the University of the West Indies Open Campus to build capacity among academic staff to facilitate their transition to online teaching and learning. The strategies covered relate to course development and delivery, including activities that emerge at the interface…

This article includes a reflection on the experiences, both positive and negative, in using a collaborative approach to the development of an online instructional design model. It outlines the processes and points out the challenges associated in the creation of courses to be taught on the Internet using this model. There are reflections on the…

The role of learner autonomy and self-regulated learning in distance education has received much attention. The application of these concepts impacts course design and, potentially, learner achievement. In the case of distance language learning, course designers must consider not only how to help learners gain communicative competence but also…

Literature on engineering education stresses the need for graduates to have skills such as working globally in a multicultural environment; working in interdisciplinary teams; sharing of tasks on a global, around the clock basis; working with digital communication tools and in a virtual environment. In addition, accreditation criteria include…

Drawing evidence from a survey study she conducted in her own online classes as well as from current literature, the author, who has developed and taught several MA TESOL online courses, argues that the effectiveness of online instruction is not determined by the technology but by the instructor. An effective online instructor is one who is truly…

Distance education course designers working alone often do not have the luxury of fully developing their instruction before releasing their courses to students. The Individual Iterative Instructional Design (I3D) model is useful for educators who both develop and present their distance learning instructional units in areas ranging from higher…

Discusses the New York Institute of Technology's On-line Campus (OLC) program and then examines difficulties that arise in adapting a traditional course syllabus and structure to the "conceptual" classroom of a fully online composition class. Proposes an evolving syllabus as one solution to these difficulties. Discusses issues raised by…

The Soaring to Excellence staff development series of the College of DuPage provides the tools to empower library personnel in the workplace. Each teleconference in the series is supported by practical information, discussion questions, worksheets, and bibliographies. Students are provided with the opportunity to view and participate in three live…

Describes the role of the instructional designer in working with professors to translate their traditional courses and favorite teaching techniques into an online format. Examples are from the World Campus program, which pairs instructional designers at various institutions (such as Pennsylvania State University) with faculty members. (DB)

Undergraduate geography field courses are relatively rare at American universities, though they can exemplify well the fundamental tenets of learner-centered education. This article reports on an intensive three-week field analysis course taught at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, within the Department of Geography, Planning, and…

This report discusses the highly decentralized Nordic model of distance education at the university level, which involves giving responsibility for carrying out distance education to the individual university departments. Meeting at the university and using the telephone are primary contact methods. The report includes a discussion of higher…

Discusses quality assurance benchmarks for distance education and describes results of a survey of academic staff at higher education institutions in Hong Kong that measured their perception of quality assurance in Web-based learning. Examines institutional support; course development; teaching/learning process; course structure; student support;…

Discusses the authors' successes and failures in their efforts to help faculty mount Web-based courses. Notes they found it helpful to divide course material into knowledge-based versus skill-based elements, and to develop activities that capitalize on the unique environment of the Web. Covers legal issues affecting how they use both preexisting…

Provides a holistic model with five primary factors that affect the overall ecology of a distance-learning experience, including consideration for course delivery, instruction quality, student participation and involvement, course and program administration, and the culture of teaching and learning. (Author/LRW)