The research reported in this paper explores which variables predict native and non-native speaking teachers' perception of fluency and distinguish fluent from non-fluent L2 learners. In addition to traditional measures of the quality of students' output such as accuracy and lexical diversity, we investigated speech samples collected from 16…

This article reports on research into the motivation of Indonesian children aged 11-12 years old, as they begin formal study of English in an urban junior high school. The research used closed and open questionnaire items, backed up by class observations and interviews with a selected group of learners. Very high levels of motivation to learn the…

This paper examines the effect of gender on English reading comprehension for Korean EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners. The gender effect was measured using a DIF (Differential Item Functioning) methodology. Specifically, gender DIF was investigated for a random sample of 14,000 Korean examinees (7,000 males and 7,000 females) who took…

The use of pair and small group activities in the second language (L2) classroom has been supported by both theoretical and pedagogical arguments. However, L2 researchers and practitioners have expressed concerns about their use in some instructional contexts. This small-scale study explored instructors' and learners' perceptions about the use of…

Reports on a two-year study of an online program for teacher professional development. Survey data from twenty-six online students and in-depth case studies of four students, revealed five dimensions that contribute to effective online learning: relevant and challenging assignments; coordinated learning environments; adequate and timely feedback…

Examines how learning orientation (meta-level learner-difference profiles) accounts for significant variance, effects, and interactions in a Web learning environment. Results demonstrate useful ways to differentiate the audience before designing solutions and environments that carefully consider the impact of emotions and intentions on learning.…

This practitioner-oriented article addresses some of the more commonly overlooked areas of online instructional development. Five sections discuss specific aspects of online program planning and development: (1) Building a Strategic Plan; (2) Technology Planning and Selection; (3) Systemic Instructional Design Considerations; (4) Training and…

Investigates how participants (39 teenagers and 10 college-age online mentors) interacted and constructed shared knowledge of concepts, goals, tasks, procedures, and solutions when solving a real-world problem in an Internet-mediated project-based learning environment (iExpeditions). The main focus of the study was on how different patterns of…

Analyzes the differential skills and competencies required of faculty teaching distance education courses via the World Wide Web. The faculty perceptions of needed skills and competencies varied greatly and were found to be primarily influenced by their prior knowledge of instructional design strategies and distance education theories. Survey…

Describes a study that examined the effect of direct experience on traditional aged college students' attitudes, perceptions and intentions toward distance education. Used a repeated measures design, set up to measure before and after effects of direct experience and peer influences on a sample of undergraduates. (Contains 26 references.)…

Describes and evaluates the design and development of an interactive multimedia simulation package for management education called Business Simulation which combines the concepts of case study methods with business simulation games. It is designed to provide students with skills-based training in human resources management, particularly…

This is a case study of two sixth-grade teachers from Illinois who participated in a semester-long inservice to learn about Chickscope, a supercomputing application that allows students and teachers remote access to magnetic resonance images of chicken embryos. Shows how they produced an inquiry-based unit on chicken weight and measurement.…

Discusses the need for faculty training to integrate learning technologies into their classrooms and describes a collaborative three-year evaluation of the Inter-Institutional Faculty Summer Institute on Learning Technologies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Describes results of surveys and interviews and considers the impacts of…

This study examined the experiences of secondary rural school students, teachers, and administrators to determine their perspectives on distance education. Discusses results of interviews, naturalistic observations, and document analysis that showed the importance of teacher characteristics; problems with a lack of socialization; and problems with…

This study of community college students investigated predictors of student dropout in distance education courses. Considered locus of control, gender, number of distance education courses completed, age, financial assistance, and number of hours employed, and used correlation and discriminant analysis to show locus of control and financial aid…