Higher education institutions have been playing a pivotal role in the emergence and elaboration of the Open Educational Resources (OER) movement. Initially, pioneering institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have led the conceptualization of OER, providing models of sustainable initiatives. Following the forerunners,…

The increasing availability of digital data in higher education provides an extraordinary resource for researchers to undertake educational research, targeted at understanding challenges facing the sector. Big data can stimulate new ways to transform processes relating to learning and teaching, and helps identify useful data, sources of evidence…

Massive Open Online Courses (or MOOCs) are the subject of numerous recent articles in "The Chronicle of Higher Education," "The New York Times," and other publications related to their increasing use by a variety of universities to reach large numbers of online students. This article describes the current state of these online…

As higher education institutions move to incorporate more online learning into their long-term strategies, it is important for instructors to become adept at facilitating discussions in ways that engage learners, promote critical thinking, and support the development of a learning community. Through the strategic application of effective…

The most defining characteristic of MOOCs and other massive courses may be their scale. In their popular description, in the pedagogical and technological approach, in course operation, and in impact, the scale of the course is always foremost in mind. Beyond changes in scale, there are challenges and opportunities to adapt the new techniques in a…

An evaluation form used at Ashland College (Ohio) for critical evaluation of educational software is presented. The form covers basic product information, program content, educational appropriateness, organizational and technical components, teacher's manual, and product revision. (MBR)

Sixteen things to avoid in planning and implementing inservice programs are listed including problems in the areas of faculty involvement, scheduling, flexibility, funding, and non-monetary support. (BD)

The technology for information organization, communication, storage, and use today is the book. It has evolved over 3000 years (in its modern form over 500 years) to the mature object we currently enjoy. The book is now the primary technology used in education. But with the development of the computer and the Web, a new electronic information…

Results of demonstrations of two computing systems, differing in configuration and educational services, are analyzed in terms of student achievement and attrition for the PLATO system, and student performance in TICCIT. The two studies were conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). (RAO)

Additional information presented in support of PLATO responds to the findings of an ETS study of the system in community colleges, which is described in the preceding article in this issue. (RAO)

The findings of the ETS study of TICCIT in community colleges, which is described in a previous article in this issue, are compared with the results of a series of studies on the system conducted at the Brigham Young University. (RAO)

A report on the development, implementation, and evaluation of an inexpensive support system providing for file maintenance, administration and scoring of tests, and feedback to the instructor. (Author)

This overview of instructional applications of computer-assisted instruction and microcomputer applications discusses current developments in hardware and software, the need for independent review and evaluation of CAI programs, the growing importance of computer literacy, especially for teachers, and projections for the future. Eleven references…

Discusses the use of a microprocessor to record, retrieve, edit, and utilize grade formulas for students at the University of Virginia. (MER)

Discussion of the use of online learning activities in higher education focuses on experiences with a master's degree program in educational technology leadership at George Washington University (Washington, DC) that involves online learning as an essential element. Plans to create an online doctoral program in distance education leadership are…