The community of K-12 education has seen explosive growth over the last decade in distance learning programs, defined as learning experiences in which students and instructors are separated by space and/or time. While elementary and secondary students have learned through the use of electronic distance learning systems since the 1930s, the…

This paper discusses the impediments to distance education (DE) programs and the critical value of interaction and dialog in DE learning environments. The types of interaction to be considered when designing a DE program are listed, including interaction to increase learning, to increase participation, to develop communication, to receive…

This document contains the following papers on graduate and inservice telecommunications from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 Conference: (1) "Teaching Technology with Technology" (Michelle Adelman and Susan Luftschein); (2) "Standards of Practice: Online Educator Inservice Workshop" (Cathy and Terry…

St. Petersburg Junior College (SPJC), Florida, identified critical issues in e-learning practices and posed six questions in order to formulate an evaluation process. SPJC considered one question per quarter for 18 months. The questions were reviewed using the following steps: (1) examine best e-learning practices related to that question, using…

This paper argues that one of the keys to an effective distance learning system is an effective monitoring and evaluation system. The evaluative process enables college faculty and administration to identify and address problems distance learners are experiencing. Distance learning instructors at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (New…

This paper examines the challenge of teaching online classes to students who have difficulty with organization and time management. Online learning is far removed from the traditional classroom learning rubric. Online education requires students to navigate a multi-layered information path. The first step toward student preparation is to assess…

This document provides a checklist for the development of effective instructional Web sites that promote student learning and enable instructors to enact the principles of good teaching. The information presented is valuable for instructors of online courses and faculty members who utilize instructional sites to supplement face-to-face classroom…

As the World Wide Web becomes part of mainstream learning and teaching at Australian universities, changes to online learning include a proliferation in the use of commercial learning environments and in the movement of institutional processes online. These changes indicate that now is an appropriate time to plan for the future. The University of…

This paper examines the perceptions of the learning technology mentors (LTMs) involved in the development and implementation of the RMIT University (Australia) Online Bachelor of Nursing program. This program was identified as a strategic program within RMIT Life Sciences for renewal as there were major changes occurring in the disciplinary…

The communication revolution has stimulated teacher education institutions in many countries in the world to integrate modern technology such as the Internet into their programs. However, just transferring traditional text-based materials to the World Wide Web is often counterproductive. This paper focuses on the experiences of 12 Sri Lankan…

There are now many educational organizations and institutions that have decided to pursue flexible delivery and online learning as strategies. While many educators value online delivery of programs for the flexibility and opportunities offered, the environment offers far more than these outcomes alone. Online delivery supports and encourages very…

This paper describes a World Wide Web-based, generic, inter-disciplinary subject called computer-aided policymaking. It has been offered at Melbourne University (Australia) from the beginning of 2001. It has generated some salutary lessons in marketing and pedagogy, but overall it is concluded that Web-based teaching has a rosy future.…

This paper examines the role of facilitation in the Investigations Online seminars, which support the professional learning of elementary school teachers and mathematics specialists using the Investigations in Number, Data, and Space curriculum. Our study considered how a facilitator fosters collaborative discussion that leads to co-construction…

Online courses are appearing at a high rate, increasing the competitiveness of the distance learning market. Reluctance to invest in this area is due to cost and quality concerns. This study reports the findings of a survey of 700 professional and graduate education students regarding their comfort with technology, satisfaction with those…

This paper examines the e-learning strategies adopted by universities, from the perspective of three common objectives: widening access to educational opportunity; enhancing the quality of learning; and reducing the cost of higher education. The discussion is illustrated by drawing on case studies of universities in Europe and the United States.…