A key element in the completion of study by off-campus students is support during their learning. The nature of off-campus study renders nearly impossible the face-to-face contact which provides expansion of lecture material, direct answers to problems, guidance on procedures, and immediate responses to learning difficulties. Electronic mail…

A study was conducted at Edith Cowan University on providing information literacy education to remote students through communication technology. Highlights include educational theory, information literacy, and the role of the library; attitudes to external study and library use; attitudes and access to technology; confidence levels in information…

Presents an exploratory study of a Web-based distance education course at an Australian university. Identifies factors associated with teaching effectiveness in online delivery: the technology used, including ease of access, navigation, interaction, and interface; instructor characteristics; and student characteristics, including previous use of…

Distance education has been offered to young students in Australia for about 100 years. Recently, information and communication technology has been introduced as a means to improve communication, but not all remote students have access to this new technology. This has made it difficult to arrange collaborative learning for distance-education…

Worldwide, distance learning programs offer opportunities for education and career enhancement for those who have access to a computer and the Internet. However, some potential students and instructors who have access to these technologies cannot fully participate because of the inaccessible design of courses. These individuals include those with…

This paper reports on a study of computer-mediated communication within the context of a distance MA in TEFL programme which used an e-mail discussion list and then a discussion board. The study focused on the computer/Internet access and skills of the target population and their CMC needs and wants. Data were collected from 63 questionnaires and…

This article previews the future of universal learning, and related issues such as societal need, technologies, course design, administration challenges, faculty support, and student service.

This paper argues that e-learning has not kept pace with the development of increasingly rich IP (Internet Protocol)-based delivery platforms for a number of reasons, including an apparent lack of awareness on the part of developers of the ways in which people learn, and an interest in keeping costs low, which precludes expenditures on…

This volume describes for educators how to create simple models of the full costs of educational innovations, including the costs for time devoted to the activity, space needed for the activity, etc. Examples come from educational uses of technology in higher education in the United States and China. Real case studies illustrate the method in use:…

Intended for outreach workers, community development workers, tutors, managers, and coordinators, this guide focuses on how laptop computers are and could be used innovatively and resourcefully for basic skills, outreach, and widening participation generally. Chapter 1 introduces aims and management of the Laptop Initiative for Adult and Community…

Alaska has been forced by geography and weather to look at numerous innovative solutions to improving communication between families and schools. The Internet is showing more impact than any other technique that has been tried. This has been especially helpful to parents of children with disabilities, due to a severe shortage of special education…

Discussion of distance education in the United Kingdom focuses on how teachers in primary and secondary schools can develop teaching strategies to adopt and implement distance learning practices. Topics include lifelong learning; social support; the use of technology; homework activities; teacher access to computers; and learning strategies. (LRW)

This article provides an overview of Systemic Initiatives in the Australian States and Territories. This updated overview acknowledges the help and information provided by key contacts whom the authors contacted from each of the Australian State and Territory government education systems. In addition, the role of the Ministerial Council for…

This report discusses access issues related to distance learning for individuals with disabilities and presents design considerations for assuring that a course is accessible to potential instructors and students with a wide range of disabilities. The field of universal design provides a framework for this discussion. It begins by describing…

This bibliography was compiled for The Centre for Literacy's 2005 Summer Institute: "Adult Basic Education & Literacy, Media and Technology." The references and annotations point to relevant research, project, strategy and evaluation reports that describe and analyze the current and future influences of changing technologies on…