Discusses the effect of collaboration via e-mail links on the quality of 10- to 11-year-old students' science investigative skills in six elementary rural schools. The project identified several important issues related to teacher-inservice training requirements, development in cooperative groupwork for children, and software design. (AIM)

Observed effects of dialogue journaling through electronic mail on the language produced by learners of Spanish as a second language, compared with the paper-and-pencil version. The electronic version was found to have a positive effect on the amount of language generated and on students' attitudes towards learning the target language but did not…

Describes a virtual project designed at the 1996 Virtual Geography Project Workshop in order to determine if geographically distant students could work collaboratively on an assignment requiring asynchronous communication, joint library research, and hypermedia skills. Explains that the project was initiated and completed during a six-week period…

Describes a study of individual differences among high school students that relate to and predict their use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools--e-mail, Usenet news, and a multimedia notebook--to support project-based science learning. Findings indicate that skill and experience with computers, parental education, access to computers,…

Provides definitions of the following words and phrases that are related to technology and its use in the social sciences classroom: CD-ROM, database, discussion group, e-mail, hypertext and hypermedia, Internet, simulation, spreadsheets, virtual field trip, and World Wide Web. (AEF)

Describes the use of computer pen pals to offer foreign language students who are at different levels of instruction to participate in activities that involve real life situations. Designed to develop writing skills, these activities help students review vocabulary and to practice verb forms and grammatical structures. (Author/VWL)

Characterizes a history course at Texas A&M University-Kingsville entitled "Methods of Historical Research" that focuses on the philosophy of history, research methods, and computer technology. Reveals how the philosophy of history and research methods aspects are intertwined and discusses the changes in the course due to advances in…

Describes a project that used the model of character impersonation to allow students to communicate via e-mail with Clovis Crawfish, a children's literature character. Highlights include teaching interns who provided classroom support; a collaborative model of instruction; effects on learning and student behavior; a constructivist approach;…

Describes changes in services of the United Technologies Corporation Information Network from a traditional library system to a virtual system of World Wide Web sites, a document-delivery unit, telephone and e-mail reference, and desktop technical support to provide remote access. Staff time, security, and licensing issues are addressed.…

Suggests that there are three types of online instructional communication: (1) interaction between student and instructor only; (2) interaction between students, controlled by instructor; and (3) student-centered and student-led online discussions. Analyzes first type as a means of moving to other types of exchange. (NB)

Describes how fifth-graders with home Internet access used an Internet chat application after school, and discusses changes in the patterns of chat room usage over a 1-year period. Considers gender differences in chat room usage, as well as implications for curriculum design, student-teacher interactions, and the role of chat in teaching and…

Discusses the redesign of an introductory education technology course required for all teacher education students. Highlights include the use of videotapes; electronic mail; undergraduate students as technical support in computer laboratories; and comparisons of student perceptions related to content, delivery, and time involved in the traditional…

Examined factors responsible for gender differences in Internet use. Surveys of college students indicated that women and men used the Internet equally but differently, with men connecting more frequently to the Web than women and women using e-mail more than men. Computer self-efficacy, loneliness, and depression accounted in part for gender…

Studied use of the Internet, Compact discs (CD), and email on the feasibility of conducting Russian language maintenance and development in a distance learning mode. Students from Air Force bases were guided by a native Russian moderator and interacted with each other in five-person teams. CD and email were found to be very reliable; Internet…

The authors employed multiple data-collection procedures to determine which of four personal (non-subject-matter-specific) discussion folders would be used most frequently by online learners in two online courses, and which would be rated more favorably and considered more effective than other folders. The folders were studied for the way in which…