Advocates teaching computer skills to journalism students, especially advanced computer-assisted reporting techniques. States that journalism faculty at American University teach such skills and techniques at every level after faculty reached a consensus to impart skills gradually through a skills sequence. Considers that curriculum reform was a…

Notes that the desire to make World Wide Web (WWW) pages more interactive and laden with animation, sound, and video brings us to the threshold of the deeper levels of Web page creation. Lists and discusses resources available on the WWW that will aid in learning and using these dynamic functions for Web page development to assist in interactive…

Describes how to create a Web page or Web site and discusses the challenge that Web site development presents to gifted children. Discusses types of items that may be posted and precautions that should be taken when developing a Web site. Lists software that can be used in designing a Web site. (CR)

Considers patterns of interaction in small, mixed-sex groups of postgraduate students in computer conference environments. Participants were 11 females and 16 males in four groups. Findings suggest that this new work medium offers new opportunities for female members of mixed-sex groups to participate or direct conversations, and that women were…

Discussion of computer mediated communication in higher education online learning focuses on a report of two cycles of action research into the use of online discussion forums to enable groups of students from different countries to collaborate with each other in achieving learning outcomes specific to each group. (Author/LRW)

Outlines the importance of having a forum for extended conversations about ideas and methods that work and do not work in teaching economics. States that a discussion listserv was established in 1993 afford opportunities for collaboration on projects, papers, and discussion. Describes the list's archival function for previous discussions. (JEH)

Discusses work collaboration via virtual work groups, communication, and improved connectivity via information technology. Reviews previous studies and compares the performance of 64 virtual teams using four different collaborative technologies: text only, audio only, text and video, and audio and video. (Contains 59 references.) (Author/LRW)

A taxonomy of types of faculty participation in online course discussions was developed and a survey of 18 online business instructors and administrators was used to develop expectations for type and number of feedback messages. Results were used to analyze business courses and develop guidelines for teachers' role. (Contains 13 references.) (SK)

Discusses concepts of mediation and focuses on the importance of implementing comprehensive virtual learning environments. Topics include education and technology as they relate to cultural change, social institutions, the Internet and computer-mediated communication, software design and human-computer interaction, the use of MOOs, and language.…

Examines Web-based syllabi of current college courses offered in schools of education through an examination of syllabi on the Web site of the World Lecture Hall. Discusses forms of communication and interactivity; the influence of instructors; the influence of students; and the influence of practitioners and experts. (Author/LRW)

Examined differences in communication between masters degree students at Syracuse University who used instant messaging (IM) services and those who did not in the same asynchronous distance education Web-based course. Results showed that students who used IM found it easier to communicate and felt a stronger sense of community. (Author/LRW)

Examines whether level of interactivity in an online syllabus influences students' first impressions of course and instructor. Participants viewed identical syllabi, differing only in number and relationship of hyperlinks. The independent variable, interactivity, had three ordinal levels: website with no links (low interactivity), website with…

Examines the complex connections among literacy practices, the use of information, and communication technologies (ICTs) and disadvantage. Reports findings of a year-long Australian study, which investigated ways that four families use ICTs to engage in formal and informal literacy learning in home and school settings. (BT)

Users of telecommunications networks are concerned about privacy, and desire anonymous access, while some organizations are concerned about how this anonymous access might be abused. Proposes a solution for revocable anonymous access to the Internet. Presents some legal background and motivation for such a solution. Indicates some difficulties and…

Discusses the need for more flexible learning frameworks for higher education and lifelong learning, and considers the use of communication and information technology to meet those needs. Focuses on conferencing technologies, including video conferencing; text-based communication (email, bulletin boards, and conferencing); and audio conferencing.…