This report considers a range of issues involved in doing case-study research with emphasis on the potential for and the problems associated with this approach in distance education. The report begins with an introduction to the case-study research methodology, noting that it is not widely recognized as an approach in distance education.…

This paper reports on a computer conferencing pilot project initiated by the Consortium for the Development of Professional Materials for Vocational Education and developed at the Center on Education and Training for Employment at Ohio State University. The report provides an introduction to computer conferencing and describes the stages of the…

Although an increasing number of theoretical analyses and evaluations have been conducted since microcomputer technology was developed and introduced into classrooms, few new studies have been undertaken on the costs of these new information technologies (NIT). This report focuses on the methodological problems that must be solved in order to…

The infrastructure required for the implementation of computer aided instruction is described with particular reference to the distance education environment at the University of South Africa. A review of the state of the art of online distance education in the United States and Europe is followed by an outline of the proposed infrastructure for…

This proceedings provides the texts of opening remarks, the official welcome, and 37 papers presented at an international symposium on the theme, "Computer Conferencing: Allied Technologies and New Applications." The papers are divided into seven categories: (1) Distance and Adult Education; (2) Socio-Psychological Issues; (3) Computer…

Students taking university-level courses through distance education have special needs, primarily because of their isolation from immediate contacts with instructors and special facilities. Developing instructional methods to meet these needs is important if the quality of distance education is to be high. Schools established solely to provide…

Suggests individual educational technologists have developed a variety of work styles including those characterized as: knowledge expert, executive manager, social-analyst, and specialist. These styles of working, based upon work behaviors of educational technologists at Great Britain's Open University, are compared in terms of practices, focuses,…

Discusses development and use of Open Learning Institute's computerized course development and production systems which solved some of the inherent problems in course writing. A network of microcomputers which facilitates preparation of production-ready manuscripts and course authoring templates constructed from word processing software is…

The research described in this paper is concentrated on the demand for high quality interchangeable knowledge objects capable of supporting dynamic learning initiatives. The general metadata models (Dublin Core, IMS, LOM, SCORM) for knowledge objects enrichment are reviewed and a critique is provided in order to claim the importance of the…

In the last 10 years, an approach to electronic distance education called audiographic computerized telelearning using standard telephone lines has come to the fore. Telelearning is a cost-effective system which optimizes existing computer facilities and creates a teaching-learning environment that is interactive, efficient, and adaptable to a…

The ability to bridge together geographically-distant populations for training is made possible through teletraining, a human performance system which integrates telecommunications into the planning, design, and delivery of training programs. Typically, teletraining uses standard telephone lines or digital communication services to provide…

This paper explores some of the challenges of RMIT University (Australia), a large cross-sectoral university, and considers how online learning has enabled one TAFE (Technical and Further Education) department to become more fully engaged in the wider university context. The first section provides an overview of RMIT, TAFE, and higher education.…

Online computer conferences used to assist distance learning courses often fail because the moderator-usually the instructor responsible for the conference-is not properly trained in techniques that build a community of learners. It has often been assumed that the skills required to create a vibrant classroom discussion translate easily to an…

In the transition from traditional teaching and learning to eLearning, the authors advocate avoiding disruptive approaches. The authors claim that many virtual university and corporate university efforts worldwide try to showcase big leaps forward, yet lack sustainability, suffer from in-vitro conditions, and leave behind the big mass of teachers.…

During the past three years, the role of the instructional systems designer has taken on greater significance for instructors. This is because many faculty members have been asked to put their entire courses online over the World Wide Web. Instructors are now creating a substantial percentage of the online courses with little or no background in…