Describes six models of virtual schools which use e-mail, online chats, Internet resources, and archived resources to teach courses. Discusses advantages and limitations of virtual schools, and presents some questions for evaluating them. A sidebar lists 10 virtual school Web sites. (AEF)

Outlines ideas for building interactive home pages for economics classes. Illustrates how to link the home page to course materials, sources of economic data and information, as well as lectures and spreadsheets. Discusses using Internet technology to communicate with, engage, and assess students. (MJP)

This study investigated the effect of computer-mediated-communication (CMC) in a protocol designed to facilitate (1) second language acquisition, and (2) enhanced intercultural awareness between Australian university students whose first language (L1) is English, and Japanese university students whose L1 is Japanese. (Author/JL)

Discusses scientific communication (discussion and publication) via print and the Internet, comparing cost, peer review, production speed, and level of interaction and explains why electronic digests appear to provide the best scope in supplanting newsletters, comparing preparation, production, and distribution. (PEN)

Discusses the development and use of Internet videoconferencing to aid collaboration among college faculty on campus and throughout the world, to facilitate consultation, and to improve teaching. The author examines the hardware and software needed, the setup process, and the difficulties and problem areas. (GR)

Focuses on the feasibility of using authentic problem-based collaboration at a distance. Compares a traditional introductory instructional design (ID) course with a modified distance education course. Results indicate it is possible to enact authentic learning and distance collaboration within modified distance education when learners are advanced…

Examines the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the college classroom using survey data from 89 undergraduate sociology students. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of conferencing systems, either through local area networks or Internet-based systems; preferred uses of CMC; and results of regression analyses. (Author/LRW)

Examines the speech communities associated with computer-mediated communication (CMC). Summarizes results from research and adds a critical perspective by questioning who is advantaged and disadvantaged by CMC. Brings these concerns to bear on the application of CMC to distance education, raising questions about its use in teaching English as a…

Reports on the development of an asynchronous learning environment for teaching introductory macroeconomics to approximately 200 distance education students. The research supports evidence in the literature that computer mediated communication an in particular, collaborative learning, can make a positive difference to the educational experience of…

During the 2000-2001 academic year, the General Libraries of the University at Buffalo conducted a pilot project to assess feasibility of providing reference through instant messaging. Describes the project, its implementation, the software used, staffing issues, and publicity efforts. Discusses results of the project in terms of user…

Describes a conceptual framework that can be used to guide the design of distributed learning environments, particularly those that use the capabilities of computer and Internet technology. Discusses implications for improving online collaboration among learners and for informing future designs of computer-supported collaborative learning…

Discusses the growth in e-learning and describes five significant changes and developments that promise to shape the e-learning industry in the next five years. (EV)

Discusses a case study at Pepperdine University (California) in the Online Master of Arts in Educational Technology and the critical insights which can be used by similar university programs to influence their thinking of how to best prepare future learning communities in virtual discussions. Addresses key issues, benefits, and methods concerning…

Discussion of computer-mediated communication in education focuses on online collaboration. Highlights include characteristics of a collaborative group, including participation, interaction, and interdependence; collaborative situations; non-collaborative groups, including cooperation without collaboration; factors that promote or inhibit…

Describes the Case Technologies for Early Literacy Learning (CTELL) project, designed to develop a specific approach to the use of cases in literacy teacher education. Draws attention to how people entering K-8 teaching receive their education about teaching reading and language arts as part of their initial certification program. (SG)