As higher education institutions move into forms of distance learning enabled by technologies such as video conferencing and the Internet, the ownership of course materials becomes an issue. Who owns these materials, the school or the individual? This paper describes the issue, covers two different views on ownership (i.e., comparing online course…

In all the Brazilian Universities involved with the project "Prodenge-Reenge", the main objective is to improve teaching and learning procedures for the engineering disciplines. The Chemical Engineering College of Campinas State University focused its effort on the use of engineering softwares. The work developed by this project has…

This paper describes a study of high school students' participation in the construction and revision of explanatory models as they attempted to account for a variety of inheritance phenomena observed in computer-generated "fruit flies". Throughout the course students were encouraged to explore epistemological issues related to the assessment and…

Distance education is an alternative method for delivering academic course work to students unable to attend traditional campus-based classes. This Digest presents information on the many forms of distance education and keys to successful teaching with distance education. Distance education is a method of education in which the learner is…

This paper describes the experience of making changes to an introductory educational technology course at Florida Gulf Coast University, which has just completed developing new curricula for its initial teacher certification programs. Constructed from the ground up and based heavily on research and theory, the new curricula ensure that technology…

This paper discusses various issues that challenge technology restructuring efforts and presents a working plan to minimize resistance and maximize faculty performance and student accomplishment at the School of Education of the College of New Jersey. The first section discusses obstacles to infusing technology in teacher education programs and…

Students undertaking mathematics courses in their final year of secondary education in Victoria are assessed using a combination of school based coursework assessment and examinations. Over the last decade, students have used technology such as graphics calculators, statistical software, spreadsheets, and computer algebra systems (CAS) extensively…

Each year an estimated 5 million Americans pursue education or training through what is known as distance education. Distance education, which is also known as distance study, e-learning online education, correspondence study, home study, independent study, and other various terms, has existed in America for more than a century. Yet, few teachers,…

Nontraditional methods of instructional delivery at the postsecondary level, such as Technology based distance education course offerings, have been a topic of considerable attention and debate. To date, however, no nationally representative study has examined technology based distance education availability, course offerings, and enrollments in…

The presentation describes the revisions to a course and the resulting student attitudes and learning. Learning Tools was revised in 2003 from oncampus only to both oncampus and online delivery. Revisions were made by standardizing the two versions, updating the technology applications presented, and modifying the instructional strategies used.…

How to ensure the quality of online learning in institutions of higher education has been a growing concern during the past several years. While several studies have focused on the perceptions of faculty and administrators, there has been a paucity of research conducted on students? perceptions toward the quality of online education. This study…

Online learning has become a new paradigm in education, but very few research-based studies have addressed the multicultural aspects of online learning. Using interviews and observations, this study examines the perceptions of Asian students while taking synchronous online courses in the United States. The specific questions explored in this study…

Discusses the evaluation of classroom technology and suggests a method for evaluating a Web site by determining its incorporation of communication, information, timeliness, and interactivity. Highlights Ed's Oasis, a Web site funded by the AT&T Foundation, contains teacher evaluation guidelines and checklist of online resources and provides…

Illustrates the importance of students knowing how to effectively search electronic resources. Discusses a Web site created at Chico High School and describes the three major components of the organization of electronic resources (outreach, training, and planning interview). Gives an example of a class research assignment and discusses other…

Responds to the suggestion that computational tools be used in undergraduate thermodynamics courses. Argues that instead of using spreadsheets or specially prepared programs, students can quickly develop their own worksheets and solve problems using an equation-solving software program such as MATHCAD. Emphasis is on understanding the fundamentals…