The virtual campus: Trends for higher education and trainingwas the theme of the IFIP Working Conference on which this book is based. lt was a joint event of Working Groups 3.3 and 3.6, Research and distance Education respectively, of IFIP Technical Committee 3 for Education. International dissemination and promotion of cooperation are IFIP aims that we particularly wanted to address. This is why we opened the event to non WG members and have established a virtual forum on the WEB that has been widely visited. The programme for the 27 to 29 November 97 in Madrid included invited speakers from leading institutions in the field, reviewed and selected contributions from an open call for papers, on-site demonstrations of !arge European projects and discussion sessions involving distant and present participants. The event attracted experts from 23 countries. About a hundred persons were involved, from all over the world. The spread and accessibility of information and communication technologies are rapidly changing p!"actices in learning and research activities, both in professional and academic settings. The number, variety and scale of experiences reported in recent publications shows a growing international involvement concerning not only small groups of researchers but also institutions fully committed in that direction.
Provides cost effective and sustainable learning procedures vital to ensuring long term success for both teacher and student; covers the latest research and findings in relation to best practice examples and case studies.
A discussion of the increased accessibility to the Internet and how this has lead to a variety of resources being used for learning. Case studies and examples show the benefits of using the Internet as part of resource-based learning.
The "virtual campus" is a metaphor for the electronic teaching, learning, and research environment created by the convergence of several relatively new technologies including, but not restricted to, the Internet, World Wide Web, computer-mediated communication, video conferencing, multi-media, groupware, video-on-demand, desktop publishing, intelligent tutoring systems, and virtual reality. The focus of this monograph is of necessity limited to changes occurring in higher education institutions that are committed to reform via technology. A survey of the literature finds reform characterized by changes in teaching, learning, research and scholarly activity, organizational culture, and governance and finance. Section 2 takes up teaching on the virtual campus and how institutional variables influence adoption of information technologies according to their particular missions and goals. Section 3, on classroom learning, contrasts traditional and virtual classrooms and describes the interface capabilities of various technologies. Section 4 explores recent reconceptualizations of scholarship as well as new computer-based technologies that are beginning to influence both the methods and substance of research. Section 5 depicts efforts to reform both the bureaucratic and academic spheres of higher education institutions by applying principles of Total Quality Management. Section 6 delineates some of the important new responsibilities of governing boards, including monitoring regulatory legislation, establishing a telecommunications policy, and shepherding resources for technology. The final section draws conclusions from the literature and makes recommendations for institutional planning and research. Specifically the seven conclusions are: (1) a paradigm shift can occur only in institutions committed to comprehensive reform; (2) attempts to change the classroom focus from "the sage on the stage" to collaborative learning are likely to fail without a substantial commitment to professional development; (3) higher education will continue to be market driven, requiring redoubled efforts to define academic productivity; (4) new constituencies appear to be well served by a variety of available distance learning venues; (5) the TQM movement has made impressive inroads in higher education administration; however, very little penetration has occurred when it most matters--on the academic side of the institution; (6) even as instructional use of technology rises, institutional support for applications development has been dilatory; and (7) the historic commitment to core values in traditional undergraduate education has wavered; the same vacillation threatens to undermine general education requirements in electronically delivered certificate and degree programs. Seven recommendations for beginning this process of integration include: (1) create a venue where key stakeholders can analyze major technology issues and purchases; (2) assert the value of technology-based learning from a variety of research perspectives; (3) establish quality standards for certificate and degree programs; (4) avoid pitting traditionalists against technology enthusiasts; (5) make "collaboration" and "cooperation," not "reengineering" and "restructuring" the new institutional buzz-words; (6) retain a strong commitment to adequate library staffing and funding; and (7) prepare for success by creating the necessary support structures. A glossary of terms is appended. (Contains 228 references.) (AA).
Presenting a theoretically-based and empirically-validated model of engagement, this book examines the application of the model to improve the quality and productivity of university education.
"This volume will appeal to a wide array of readers, from novices to those already working in the field. Recommended for all collections." --CHOICE "Reference literature has been hard put to keep pace with its (distance learning) changes so the appearance of an Encyclopedia is most welcome. Recommended for academic and public libraries." --LIBRARY JOURNAL In today′s fast-paced world, with multiple demands on time and resources as well as pressures for career advancement and productivity, self-directed learning is an increasingly popular and practical alternative in continuing education. The Encyclopedia of Distributed Learning defines and applies the best practices of contemporary continuing education designed for adults in corporate settings, Open University settings, graduate coursework, and in similar learning environments. Written for a wide audience in the distance and continuing education field, the Encyclopedia is a valuable resource for deans and administrators at universities and colleges, reference librarians in academic and public institutions, HR officials involved with continuing education/training programs in corporate settings, and those involved in the academic disciplines of Education, Psychology, Information Technology, and Library Science. Sponsored by The Fielding Graduate Institute, this extensive reference work is edited by long-time institute members, bringing with them the philosophy and authoritative background of this premier institution. The Fielding Graduate Institute is well known for offering mid-career professionals opportunities for self-directed, mentored study with the flexibility of time and location that enables students to maintain commitments to family, work, and community. The Encyclopedia of Distributed Learning includes over 275 entries, each written by a specialist in that area, giving the reader comprehensive coverage of all aspects of distributed learning, including use of group processes, self-assessment, the life line experience, and developing a learning contract. Topics Covered Administrative Processes Policy, Finance and Governance Social and Cultural Perspectives Student and Faculty Issues Teaching and Learning Processes and Technologies Technical Tools and Supports Key Features * A-to-Z organization plus Reader′s Guide groups entries by broad topic areas * Over 275 entries, each written by a specialist in that area * Comprehensive index and cross-references between entries add to the encyclopedia′s ease of use * Annotated listings for additional resources, including distance learning programs, print and non-print resources, and conferences Advisory Board Tony Bates University of British Columbia Gregory S. Blimling Appalachian State University Ellie Chambers The Open University, U.K. Paul Duguid University of California, Berkeley Kenneth C. Green The Campus Computing Project Linda Harasim Simon Fraser University Sally Johnstone WCET Sara Kiesler Carnegie Mellon University William Maehl Fielding Graduate Institute Michael G. Moore Pennsylvania State University Jeremy Shapiro Fielding Graduate Institute Ralph A. Wolff Executive Director, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The rapid growth in online and virtual learning opportunities has created culturally diverse classes and corporate training sessions. Instruction for these learning opportunities must adjust to meet participant needs. Online Course Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a comprehensive reference source for the latest scholarly material on the trends, techniques, and management of online and distance-learning environments and examines the benefits and challenges of these developments. Highlighting a range of pertinent topics, such as blended learning, social presence, and educational online games, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for administrators, developers, instructors, staff, technical support, and students actively involved in teaching in online learning environments.
The four volume set assembled following The 2005 International Conference on Computational Science and its Applications, ICCSA 2005, held in Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore, from 9 May 2005 till 12 May 2005, represents the ?ne collection of 540 refereed papers selected from nearly 2,700 submissions. Computational Science has ?rmly established itself as a vital part of many scienti?c investigations, a?ecting researchers and practitioners in areas ranging from applications such as aerospace and automotive, to emerging technologies such as bioinformatics and nanotechnologies, to core disciplines such as ma- ematics, physics, and chemistry. Due to the shear size of many challenges in computational science, the use of supercomputing, parallel processing, and - phisticated algorithms is inevitable and becomes a part of fundamental t- oretical research as well as endeavors in emerging ?elds. Together, these far reaching scienti?c areas contribute to shape this Conference in the realms of state-of-the-art computational science research and applications, encompassing the facilitating theoretical foundations and the innovative applications of such results in other areas.
