This paper presents two cases of the use of a World Wide Web-based system designed to support online educational procedures. The system presented, called DVT (Dynamic Virtual Trainer), consists of one or more server machines that store structured educational material in the form of autonomous units that may be accessed, combined, and presented to…

Describes the design and development of the Computer Logging of User Entries (CLUE) system for evaluating computer network-based learning courseware, or Web-based distance-education courseware. CLUE is an innovative evaluation system that combines computer-logging techniques with self-reporting methods used widely in the field of formative…

Describes Blackboard CourseInfo, a software package for distance learning; defines elements that are used in an on-campus graduate class; and gives results of a survey on how useful and usable the software was. Discusses results of group interviews, usability testing sessions, and an end-user survey, as well as staff and faculty interviews.…

When Blackboard unveiled its U.S. patent for 44 features of learning management systems and then filed a patent infringement suit against Design2Learn, the response of the educational technology community was negative and swift. Stephen Downes discusses why many educators oppose Blackboard's proprietary claims to technologies long considered in…

Although an increasing number of theoretical analyses and evaluations have been conducted since microcomputer technology was developed and introduced into classrooms, few new studies have been undertaken on the costs of these new information technologies (NIT). This report focuses on the methodological problems that must be solved in order to…

The infrastructure required for the implementation of computer aided instruction is described with particular reference to the distance education environment at the University of South Africa. A review of the state of the art of online distance education in the United States and Europe is followed by an outline of the proposed infrastructure for…

Software to support teaching and learning activities was added to a computer mediated communications system to create a "virtual classroom." The goals included improving access to and effectiveness of college-level courses, particularly by facilitating collaborative learning. The process and outcomes were compared for sections of several…

Discusses the evolution of multimedia instructional approaches and users' expectations. Highlights include how educational software fits into the existing media-mix, restrictions users face, the didactic concepts, educational software development, what systems should be used for programming, how to build human resources, and the future of…

This overview of development of Web-based college courses discusses: costs and benefits of Web tools; a 10-level Web integration continuum; a learner-centered view of Web learning; ways to embed critical thinking, creative thinking, and cooperative learning into Web-based courses; sample Web courses and tools; and pedagogical implications.…

Discussion of the use of libraries and online library resources in college distance learning focuses on two methods for libraries to provide good service: Web portals, or gateways, that provide access to selected resources; and online courseware to provide distance library courses. (LRW)

A case is made in this paper for using checklists and contextbound evaluations of online learning materials in higher education. Contextbound evaluations complement traditional forms of evaluation of educational courseware, such as checklists. Contextbound approaches are useful for indicating the pedagogical quality of online learning materials…

Computer aided assessment is a common approach used by educational institutions. The benefits range into the design of teaching, learning, and instructional materials. While some such systems implement fully automated marking for multiple choice questions and fill-in-the-blanks, they are insufficient when human critiquing is required. Current…

Web-based courses and programs have increasingly been developed by many academic institutions, organizations, and companies worldwide due to their benefits for both learners and educators. However, many of the developmental approaches lack two important considerations needed for implementing Web-based learning applications: (1) integration of the…

This article deals with a group of distance learning student teachers, who, after the course was completed, called themselves "The Magic Group". The concept "magic" refers to the reflective and productive learning process the group members experienced, a process far beyond their individual borders. The collaborative process was…

The integration of existing applications in hypermedia environments is a promising approach towards more flexible and user-friendly hypermedia learning materials. A hypermedia courseware editor, called HyDE (Hypermedia Document Editor) was developed using Microsoft Windows TM OLE technology. OLE (object Linking and Embedding) stands for an…