For several semesters, a professor of higher education at the University of Memphis, in Tennessee, has incorporated electronic mail and the Internet into assignments and classes, including a course on community colleges. At the beginning of courses, a list of e-mail addresses is compiled and distributed to students to enhance communication.…

This paper proposes a communication network for the European Community and beyond which would provide a unique meeting point for participants from the fields of education, training, technology, research, industry, and service to engage in productive forms of dialogue and collaboration; which would be financially self-supporting after a few years;…

The motivational value of Virginia's Public Education Network (VA PEN), specifically the Thomas Jefferson On-line discussion group, is examined in this study. The instructional value of the network with respect to student motivation in fourth grade students of varied ability was gauged through observation of actual hands-on network experience,…

The use of electronic communication in the 12 Title VI African Studies Centers is discussed, and the networks available for their use are reviewed. It is argued that the African Studies Centers should be on the cutting edge of contemporary electronic communication and that computer networks should be a fundamental aspect of their programs. An…

This article describes a teaching experiment in Finland to develop critical thinking and argumentation skills in a university course using both face-to-face and e-mail settings. Subjects (n=49) were advanced students of education and three faculty members. All students received two lectures on argumentation and packages of argumentative writings…

This paper presents ideas about what is required for the development of expertise in computer technology and considers those requirements in the K-12 setting. This analysis comes from the point of view of long-time, self-trained users of personal computers and computer communications and long-time observer of the growth of technology expertise in…

The Blondin family undertook a 9-month educational journey across the United States that revolved around a unique learning experience incorporating current technology. The family's three children were enrolled in Northwest Academy in northern Michigan, a science- and technology-based public academy for grades 6 through 12 that supported their plan…

This paper examines educational applications of computer-based communications to identify unique tools for learning provided by this medium and to identify key features of successful text-based computer mediated communications (CMC) projects. A review of CMC programs provides guidelines for designing effective teacher training programs in CMC.…

The planning and implementing of a rural instructional television fixed service (ITFS) distance education program at California State University-Fresno (CSUF) is described. The three important functions of establishing a distance education program within a learning institution are addressed: telecommunications networking, management…

The staff of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at Lansing Community College (LCC), in Michigan, has developed a unique combination of techniques for course support. These techniques have been incorporated into an 11-week course, "Introduction to Computers," which meets for 4 hours of lecture each week, and provides hands-on…

A course in Commercial Spanish at West Chester University in Pennsylvania is described that incorporates computer networking and a writing emphasis. Students use word processing and electronic mail to facilitate writing assignments, with the E-Mail function managed through the university's computing center. The 20 students in the class included…

Providing a variety of instructional methods and materials, developing unique and effective communication systems, and continually evaluating the process are the keys to the effective delivery of field-based programs in graduate education offered by Nova University (Florida). It has become a leader in distance-education programs by offering…

The use of educational technology in rural schools can maximize the natural advantages of rural schools and alleviate the disadvantages. Rural schools often face geographic isolation, shortages in specialized staff, low student enrollments, small numbers of special needs students, limited program offerings for students, and limited opportunities…

This report of a 3-year project discusses the results of the testing of computer conferencing and e-mail (electronic mail) at Montgomery College (Maryland) over a period of four semesters. The product was designed to answer the following questions: (1) Could computer conferencing or e-mail increase access? (2) Would the quality of the instruction…

The University of Alabama set up a communication network pilot program to enhance the early childhood and elementary methods block in the College of Education. The pilot program incorporated electronic mail (E-Mail), a fax machine, and a microcomputer communications network. The network made possible instructors' clarifications of assignments,…