Presents results of an analysis of distance education research as reflected in "The American Journal of Distance Education" and "Distance Education." Examines the types of research published in the two journals using the categories: primary research, conceptual-theoretical articles, literature reviews, evaluation, how to, and other. Discusses…

Reviews the educational and technological approaches used in telematics-based open and distance learning (ODL). Particular reference is made to projects supported by the Telematics Applications Program (TAP) of the Fourth Framework of the EC Research and Technological Development Program. Concentrates on practice, reflecting the interest in how…

Undergraduates read a passage describing social groupings of fish, their color, depth, size and diet. Subjects concurrently viewed a graphic organizer (GO) presenting this information in a matrix-like format. Half the GOs were semantically congruent with the text, organized according to social grouping; the others were spatially organized.…

Examines the impact of the IDEA Star Schools Project activities on learner and learning environment. A questionnaire based on previous work at NCREL and Milken collected data from current and past winners of an exemplary technology use award. Results provided valuable information for stakeholders on the change that occurs in learners and the…

Suggests research issues of motivation in Web-based instruction (WBI). Discusses motivational issues of WBI. Proposes a definition of motivation in WBI (based on Keller's ARCS Model). Conceptualizes three types of motivation (motivation to initiate, motivation to persist, motivation to continue), with motivational problems related to each.…

Introduces three white papers, prepared for Governor William Janklow's Capital City Conclave on Distance Education, an event intended to generate information to help South Dakota incorporate distance education into its educational systems. The papers, incorporating the themes "Start with the Children,""Empower the Workforce," and "Promote Economic…

The purpose of this paper is to raise issues and promote discussion about learning environments that go beyond traditionally delivered instructional systems. Topics addressed include: delivering high quality education to all children, from infancy to adulthood; changing the role of the teacher; lifelong learning; and improving educational quality.…

Discusses how information technologies and distance education are changing workforce development. Focuses on the Digital Dakota Network (DDN), a cooperative effort to make distance education opportunities available to residents. Examines the related issues and implications of trends in the labor market. Outlines four recommendations for realizing…

Addresses the impact of technology-driven change, especially as it relates to South Dakota, its citizens, and their future. Discusses the impact and peripheral consequences of technology; accepting, managing, and leading change; and rural revitalization and the quality of life. Outlines critical new mindsets, involving technology-driven change,…

Addresses three myths relating to distance education: (1) for video-based distance education, the higher the frames per second the better; (2) the more interaction, the better; and (3) instructor training is required for anyone planning to teach at a distance. (LRW)

Discusses benefits of online distance learning and considers some of the barriers that need to be addressed for successful implementation. Topics include quality compared to traditional face-to-face methods; academic workloads; self-pacing issues; the lecturer's role; lack of standards; security concerns; and the need for strategic planning. (LRW)

Describes the development of learning communities within the context of asynchronous distance education, based on a study of 12 graduate students in a course that used Internet-based conferencing software. Preliminary results of empirical data, interviews, and student journals indicate a relationship between learning achievement and strength of…

Describes a study that compared two formats, traditional and distance education, for a case analysis/case writing model in a graduate course in professional development. Discusses media theory; media attributes of realism, interactivity and feedback, and interface; knowledge acquisition; skill development; confidentiality; and networking.…

Discusses problems that can arise when distance education is driven more by technology utilization than by proven instructional principles and describes the design and development of a Web-based performance support system that enables designers and teachers to design effective learning that incorporates proven instructional strategies into…

Discussion of distance education versus traditional instruction focuses on courses being converted at the Naval War College to Web-based courses. Explains equivalency theory, which aligns the learning experiences of online learners with those of on-site learners so that either scenario should yield the same outcomes. (LRW)