Examines the roles and responsibilities of students, faculty, facilitators, support staff, and administration in distance education. Highlights include strategies for dealing with special challenges of distance learners and educators and a list of characteristics of effective distance teaching. (three references) (MES)

The first of three articles presenting a framework for teaching subject-matter disciplines in light of the potentials of computers considers the computer as a metaphor. Topics addressed include the state of knowledge in the disciplines, parallels between the computer and disciplinary knowledge, and implications for curriculum design. (20…

Data were gathered through evaluation surveys completed by students in two sections of an undergraduate interdisciplinary course which was taught using an interactive instructional television (ITV) system and instructional style inventories completed by both instructors. Results indicated that students rate ITV systems and instructors separately…

Reports on a study in which computer-mediated communication (CMC) messages obtained from two public access, educationally oriented electronic bulletin boards (BBSs) were categorized according to board type and intent and analyzed for structure, length, complexity, and readability. The potential for CMC in the educational environment is considered.…

Discussion of redesigning the current models of public education focuses on the Schoolyear 2000 Initiative in Florida, which is aimed at large-scale redesign of schooling. Design requirements for the new model are described, the role of technology is discussed, and the use of quality systems and total quality management (TQM) concepts is reviewed.…

Discussion of growing diversity in learners' language and communication skills and increasing use of video in instruction focuses on the use of captioning in instructional video and the implications for educational and industrial training. Federal legislation that affects video courseware developers is reviewed, and the use of closed captioned…

Explains Total Quality Management (TQM), a participative management style, and examines its relationship to Instructional Systems Development (ISD) as it is used for curriculum development. Application of TQM principles to the ISD processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation is suggested. (eight references) (LRW)

Discusses the synergistic interrelationships among the changes in our views of learning/teaching, the integration of technology, and the restructuring in our educational systems. Topics addressed include educational reform, constructivism, current use of technology, the effectiveness of technology, global telecommunications and collaboration, and…

Presents a case study of the development of a statewide distance learning system in North Dakota for elementary and secondary education as well as higher education. Initial planning and goal setting is described; computer, video, and data networks are explained; implementation plans are discussed; and organizational design is considered. (LRW)

Seven basic questions related to basic organizational questions and issues are presented together with a matrix for analyzing the responses in terms of comfort zone feelings and reactions based on past experiences. It is suggested that the matrix entries can be used to begin a dialog among organizational partners concerning their openness to…

Discussion of discourse created by computers defines discourse as a pattern of cognitive functioning and identifies two such modes of thought: narrative and expository. Discussion covers the computer as discourse; schemas as a way to understand how knowledge is organized; simulations, hypermedia, and databases as discourse; and interactive…

Presents an engineering environment oriented to the development of hypermedia applications for training. Training trends are described; requirements for a computer-based training (CBT) strategy are outlined; a hypermedia course structure is examined; microinstructional events (MIEs) are explained; and technology requirements and selection are…

This critique of "Writing to Read," a computer-based reading and writing program, uses aesthetic criteria and artistic criticism. Observations of kindergarten and first grade classes are described; education as art is considered; the issues of time and control are examined; and the aesthetic criteria of balance and coherence are discussed. (13…

Defines multimedia and proposes a framework that classifies communications technologies by bandwidth (the amount and kind of data a technology is capable of storing, transmitting, or displaying) and applications. An introduction to the articles contained in this special issue on multimedia is provided, and some crucial concepts are highlighted. A…

Presents a matrix of skills necessary for multimedia development. Skills are identified in business, artistic, and technical areas. These skills are then applied to the following reasons for multimedia use: to condense time and material; to effect rapid skills transfer; and to manage feedback and evaluation. (MES)