Using a qualitative case study design, this article explores the different meanings of quality that stakeholders brought to the process of planning online degree programs for a university system distance learning initiative and examines the impact of those different meanings on the resulting planning process and the resulting online degree…

Although preparing doctoral students for completing their dissertations is challenging in an on-campus program, it is even more difficult in an Internet-based distance education curriculum. This article examines the problems encountered and the solutions developed to address this requirement over a recent five-year period at Regent University. It…

Using content analysis to analyze transcripts from a graduate course conducted via computer conferencing, this study confirmed that students exhibit self-direction as indicated by both the variety and the extent of concrete self-directed activities. Furthermore, the study explained how students are self-directed in a computer conferencing course…

In this article we summarize the planning and implementation of online distance learning programs at various community colleges in California. We examine six areas: the institutions' vision, curriculum and programs, staff training and support, student services, student training and support, and policies.

In this article, we extend previous work with respect to interrater reliability measure of computer-mediated conferencing and suggest coding categories relevant to problem-based learning. Calculating interrater reliability agreement by using a Transcript Reliability Cleaning Percentage (TRCP) approach is simple for academics with limited…

Researchers studied the use of a suite of synchronous communication tools in support of a Web-based, senior high school French course whose students were dispersed over the vast, sparsely populated province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The objective was to describe interaction according to four types: student-teacher, student-student,…

Describes a preliminary test on graduate students of a software tool designed to perform computations required in event sequence analysis, that will enable researchers to measure and empirically test student interactions and critical thinking in threaded discussions. Explains the Discussion Analysis Tool (DAT) and suggests implications for…

Describes a study that identified the roles and competencies needed in distance education in higher education, rated the importance of those competencies, and compared results to those of a competency study conducted five years previously. Highlights include the roles of leader, change agent, and trainer; and interpersonal and communication…

A sample of 410 university students (96% response rate) completed a four-page survey regarding their perceived effectiveness of high school health education in increasing their knowledge and adoption of healthy behaviors. Results indicated that the majority of students felt health education was important and that healthy behaviors were important…

The racial and ethnic diversification of the U.S. population presents a clear call for health educators to surmount the barriers they have encountered in reaching U.S. racial and ethnic groups with culturally appropriate health promotion and prevention messages. As the population becomes more culturally and ethnically diverse, the preparation of…

As America's public school population becomes more diverse, selecting culturally appropriate instructional materials becomes increasingly important. Though several existing scales assess the quality of curricula materials, most do not consider cultural relevance. The Curricula Appropriateness Scale (CAS) was designed to determine the…

This qualitative study investigates the role of mentoring over a career in health education faculty at research intensive universities. A nonrandom sample of senior faculty (N=11), whose teaching experience ranged from 20 to 33 years in the classroom, was interviewed. Inductive content analysis was used to identify important themes related to…

The International E-Mail Directory of Health Educators (http://www.hedir.siu.edu), or HEDIR, is an electronic mailing list specifically developed to facilitate communication among health education professionals worldwide. The study objectives were to characterize the nature of HEDIR messages and assess how well HEDIR is meeting members'…

This study examined the reliability and validity of the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), flexibility (FLEX), and muscular strength and/or endurance (MSE) questions. Twenty college students completed the four items twice during the same day. During the next 7…

This study reports on CHAMPS, a youth tobacco and prevention program intervention that focused on peer-led educational activities. Nineteen schools implemented a CHAMPS tobacco prevention program in grades 5, 6, and 7. Six schools served as nonintervention comparison sites. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were completed by 1,412 students.…