The last 20 years have seen immense gains in computing power available to schools and a wide variety of useful educational software and services. Professional development in the computer area, however, has not resulted in the widespread use of computers in classrooms. This article reports on the use of the Charles Sturt University Remote Telescope…

This book explores the essentials of distance education and reviews issues facing large open universities (mega-universities) worldwide. It uses examples from industry and the knowledge media, to show how technology-based learning can be made attractive both to students and to institutions. The book's eight chapters, including 10 figures and 5…

This paper describes a project conducted in 1991-92, based on research conducted in 1986-87 that demonstrated the need for a telecommunications system with the capacity of integrated services digital networks (ISDN) that would allow for sound, vision, and integrated computer services. Called the Tri-Centre Project, it set out to explore, from the…

Containing practical applications supported by pertinent theory and analysis, this book is designed for educators navigating the information highway. The 13 chapters are divided into three sections--emerging issues, case studies, and analysis--and are as follows: (1) "Distinctions in Distance: Is Distance Education an Obsolete Term?" (M.…

This report describes the design and results of a survey reviewing European research activities in the field of reflective teaching theories and the use of telecommunications technologies in teacher education. The project also has the goal of identifying possible partners for participation in future collaborative research that will enhance the…

This book examines the effects of a 1988 policy decision of the British Open University (OU) requiring all distance learners to acquire a personal computer (PC) on their own and use it to conduct their distance education as OU students. The following topics are discussed in the book's nine chapters: potential, history, and development of computers…

An electronic communications network called Te Wahapu has been developed by Te Wahanga Kaupapa Maori of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research to facilitate the exchange of information and provide access to resources relating to Maori language and Maori education. The system, which was officially launched in May 1991, is set up as an…

The proceedings of the final consultation meeting for the Pilot Project on the Teaching of Science and Technology in an interdisciplinary Context are presented. The goals of the project initiated by UNESCO were to develop and test ways in which the concepts, processes and skills of science and technology could be linked with or incorporated into…

This study was conducted during 2 school years, involving one teacher and one classroom from each of four elementary (grades 1-2) and secondary schools. The study included writing activities on the word processor, videoconferencing, and World Wide Web use. The main data source was a series of videotapes of the above mentioned activities.…

This paper examines the use of First Class conferencing software to create a virtual culture among research students and as a vehicle for supervision and advising. Topics discussed include: computer-mediated communication and research; entry to cyberculture, i.e., research students' induction into the research community; supervision and the…

The final paper in a series of 17 studies on new technologies in Canadian education, this report focuses on the issues raised throughout the earlier papers. It begins with a summary of the educational activities in the use of each technology in education, i.e., film, television, and videotape; radio and audiotape; computer technology;…

This review of research on gender differences in computer use at the elementary and secondary levels outlines the problems, discusses reasons for these problems, and gives suggestions for interventions to improve the situation. The research reviewed was conducted, for the most part, in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.…

The first of two reports in this document identifies research topics relevant to the introduction of information technology (IT) into schools. A discussion of general issues in IT points out the need for detailed empirical evaluation for the implementation of IT; the need to overcome barriers to innovation; and the need to support and encourage…

The U.S.S.R.'s Scientific Research Institute for Higher Education Problems and its research efforts are described, and other individual and cooperative efforts for higher education research by member states of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance are discussed. (MSE)

The article describes the production process and contents of a two-hour videotape illustrating microcomputer applications with severely physically disabled adults in a long-term residential hospital in British Columbia. Software, special adaptive technology, and a program to train physically disabled adults to work in the microcomputer industry…