Explores reasons for organizations' use of groups and the need for groupware systems. Discusses vendors; Electronic Problem Structuring; synchronous and asynchronous communication; four stages of decision-making (intelligence, design, choice, and implementation); the Windows environment; the loss of non-verbal communication; and future groupware…

Discussion of the Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) focuses on the benefits of Internet access for supporting teaching (based on an exploratory study and a longitudinal study of Australian academics). Results suggest Internet connectivity improves faculty collaboration and facilitates supervision of distance education and external…

Provides an overview of cognitive task analysis-based instructional design (CTA-BID) and its applications in the design of instructional and testing materials for distance education. Reviews developments in education, psychology, and instructional design that complement CTA-BID. (Author/AEF)

Describes the experience of creating a remote exploratorium by combining network media with design environments to support distance learning; the Agentsheets Remote Exploratorium provides learners access to interactive exhibits via the World Wide Web. Discusses issues of reliability, communication, and efficiency. (AEF)

Outlines a model for distance collaboration between business writing classrooms using network technology. Discusses ways to teach national and international audience awareness, problem solving, and the contextual nature of cases. Discusses goals for distance collaboration, sample assignments, and the pros and cons of network technologies. (SR)

Examines how interaction by means of computer-mediated communication affects the operation of both status differentials and power relations. Claims that power relations are reinforced in computer-mediated communications. Outlines a theoretical framework of the processes of "panoptic power" of such communications. (HB)

Examines the effects of time restriction on social interaction in computer-mediated communication through a meta-analysis of applicable research. Derives hypotheses from Joseph Walther's social information processing perspective. Supports these hypotheses on social communication. (HB)

Examines the standards process used for developing the Escrowed Encryption Standard (EES) and its possible impact on national communication and information policies. Discusses the balance between national security and law enforcement concerns versus privacy rights and economic competitiveness in the area of foreign trade and export controls. (67…

Discussion of emerging educational technologies focuses on a case study of college students that was conducted to observe the effects of using computer-mediated communication and appropriate groupware as a teaching tool. Highlights include effects on the students, the structure of the classroom, and interpersonal interactions. (Contains 29…

Discusses the commonly accepted human right to information, access to information in highly computerized societies, and protection of the interests of users of information. Considers the potential for morally doubtful or illegal activities that is created by easy access to computer networks and information services. Technical,…

Discusses electronic collaboratories, where users can perform research without regard to geographical location. Based largely on experiences with the Upper Atmospheric Research Collaboratory (UARC), highlights include computer software, interactivity, corporate possibilities, behavioral science considerations, Internet performance, and the…

Discusses results of a survey of 112 network and telecom managers--members of the Communications Managers Association (CMA)--to identify problems relating to the operation of large enterprise networks. Results are presented in a table under categories of: respondent profile; network management systems; carrier management; enterprise management;…

Reports on the current state of reference services on the World Wide Web and explains what a Web-based reference service is. Describes several models of handling requests, and explores the impact of these services on traditional reference services. Concludes that, to date, Web-based services have had little impact on traditional reference…

Discusses issues raised by the development of remote reference. Two scenarios are proposed: (1) how Internet users and their information-seeking behavior challenge the traditional reference service model, its value system, and the librarian role in that model, and (2) a model of close linkages between librarians and users engaged as partners along…

Describes a centralized program facility called "UWired," at the University of Washington, as a center for teaching and learning with technology. Suggests that educators need to pay attention to electronic links being forged within the university community and to counter the hype of hardware and software developers promising to provide…