In the Information Society of the new millennium, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is becoming essential for the rapid dissemination of information. In this context, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) will have a growing role in effectively training people to have active roles in society. However, modern learners have a…

This paper deals with the research of the realization interaction in the Finnish Virtual University's network-based studies of cognitive science in the autumn 2001. This research examines the independent study of cognitive science which occurs through a network and the face-to-face study that takes place in cooperation in a group and the study…

This guide is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of distance learning and to advise them on the issues that are key to their success as distance learners. Its four sections represent the stages that students pass through as they access distance learning opportunities. Chapter 1 introduces distance learning and discusses new…

This paper examines the importance of the electronic community and its conversation for educators. Highlights include: (1) connections in electronic communities, including listservs, World Wide Web-based discussion groups, and the "conversational web"; (2) cyber-collaborative learning, including virtual classrooms, developing student…

This case study was designed to investigate the effect on an instructor's simultaneously teaching the same course in both a distance and a traditional educational format. The study involved one male instructor-participant at a mid-sized regional university who, in one term, taught the same course in both distance and traditional format. Data were…

This is a study of the high dropout rate in distance education courses. Early studies of this phenomenon presumed that the majority of distance education students were nontraditional students. However, this study suggests that many traditional students now participate in distance education courses, and the author examined the problem within the…

In order to provide teachers and students with electronic learning environments that support mentoring and collaboration through electronic means, the authors developed software that supports same time/different place educational collaborative activities over the Internet. These activities focus on teaching students how to organize and systematize…

This guide focuses on moderating non-pedagogical online conferences that use World Wide Web-based conferencing software, whether synchronous or asynchronous. The first section provides information on getting ready and discusses features and advantages of synchronous and asynchronous systems. The second section focuses on getting started, including…

A science classroom was used to study the effects of a shared intranet environment on students' problem-solving ability and metacognitive reflection skills through shared contextualization. Subjects were first-time 9th- and 10th-grade biology students from three public high schools. An evaluative analysis of the CourseInfo software (Blackboard,…

The California State University system faces an increase of 100,000 students by 2010, the majority of whom will be Latino. Fundamental restructuring is necessary to accommodate this change, and the new California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) may provide a model. CSUMB has a commitment to serving underrepresented populations and…

Explores the benefits and drawbacks of using electronic mail in the classroom. Benefits include improving teacher-student relations, communicating thorough discussion lists, and augmenting information dissemination. The false sense of anonymity, however, encourages students to send abusive messages. Privacy issues and tampered messages are other…

Provides an overview of computer networking resources available via the Internet to assist staff developers. After explaining how to get started on the Internet, the article describes electronic mail, the World Wide Web (the graphic part of the Internet), archives and databases, newsgroups, chatlines, the ERIC site, and virtual environments. (SM)

Examines the effects of group gender composition and the use of nonverbal computer mediated communication on performance and motivation following a biology lesson which used a computer image of a human face. Subjects were boys and girls ages 10 to 15. Findings indicate that anxiety had opposite effects for boys and girls when the computer-animated…

Posits a skeptical critique of the early claims of increased and efficient citizen participation in government due to information technology. Recent experiments have been costly and only marginally successful. Further research suggests that advanced information technology will have little effect on voter apathy. (MJP)

Describes an online professional development course for K-12 educators in which teachers explore use of the Internet, including Internet communication tools, creating online resources, and curriculum integration. Includes independent research, sharing found resources, developing criteria for Web site evaluation, and creating and publishing their…