This paper presents a unique method of planning and designing a Web site for e-learning. The following phases are discussed: troubleshooting the project; initial overview of the entire project; dividing the project into small portions and assigning people to each of these portions; periodic studies of the entire project in light of the development…

This paper presents the characteristic features of a method for description and evaluation of learning environments which aims at the improvement of the traditional questionnaire-based methods and the integration of the varying points of view of design, support for learning, and evaluation. This method, called Integrated Pedagogical Profile (IPP)…

This paper presents research and development of an adaptive World Wide Web-based system called Explor@ Advisory Agent, capable of tailoring advice to the individual student's needs, actions, and reactions toward pedagogical events, as well as according to diagnosis of content acquisition. Explor@ Advisory Agent consists of two sub-systems, the…

This paper reviews a set of studies designed to test the hypothesis that the presence of animated pedagogical agents in multimedia environments can promote deep learning. This was done by first comparing the learning and motivational outcomes of students who learned in the context of social-agency to students who learned in a more traditional text…

The action research reports compiled in this revised Encyclopedia focus on distance education in South Dakota. Contents include: "Designing Instruction for Distance Education: Guide to Best Practice" (Michael Simonson); "Effectiveness of Strategies Used by South Dakota Distance Education Teachers" (Jan Brockel);…

Students today face a daily explosion of information resources and the challenge of using these resources effectively and responsibly. Information literacy instruction (ILI) requires a shift in focus from teaching specific information resources to a set of critical thinking skills involving the use of information. ILI in an academic setting…

This paper describes Virtual University (VU), a simulation of higher education administration that provides graduate students an instructional tool that offers an active learning environment, develops intrinsic motivation to learn, and serves as a practical, concrete learning experience. The first section describes VU, including features available…

This study sought to analyze the technical problems encountered by students in a technology training course for educators. The results of the study then informed the redesign of the course for its next offering. The study collected data by both qualitative and quantitative means with the overall purpose of determining in which course modules the…

At the university of Hagen a lot of experience exists in performing Web-based teaching and in implementing tools supporting e-learning. To share this knowledge, (inexperienced) instructors more and more ask for tool-based assistance in designing and administrating e-learning courses. Considering experience from other universities, it becomes…

The development of computer-mediated asynchronous platforms for the delivery of online coursework brings college professors new questions about the features these platforms offer and the degree to which each feature is significant to the achievement of students. Are all features designed in the same way across platforms? Are there some features…

This paper reviews the experiences of a collaborative approach to the intense educational development involved in the transition to a successful technology-facilitated off-campus study program. Drawing on a history of many years of collaboration between the Australian National University (ANU) educational development center (CEDAM) and the Legal…

It is clear that more courses are being offered online each year. With the increase in the number of courses offered, the number of faculty teaching at a distance will also be increasing. Many researchers are discussing concerns that faculty have about online courses, such as incentives, training, technical support, workload, and intellectual…

This book is intended as a source for those who desire to apply a coherent system of instructional design, thereby insuring accountability. Chapter 1 covers the instructional design process, including: instructional technology; the role of evaluation; goal setting; the psychology of teaching and learning; task analysis; operational objectives;…

In this paper, animated pedagogical agents are looked at from an instructional design perspective. A "support-typology" was constructed based on different dimensions on which support can be described and different roles instructional agents can assume. This typology is used to analyze currently available pedagogical agents. This analysis indicates…

Data are presented on the effects of Animated Agents on multimedia learning environments with specific concerns of split attention and modality effects. The study was a 3 (agent properties: agent only, agent with gestures, no agent) x 3 (picture features: static picture, sudden onset, animation) factorial design with outcome measures of mental…