Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Asynchronous Distance Learning Technology: The Instructor's Perspective, Earl Alexander Evans

Masters Theses

"Advances in communications, computer technology and human-computer interfaces have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the Web-based technologies. In addition, these published studies have generally highlighted the successes while little discussion about failed attempts has been presented in the literature.

In contrast, this thesis provides a broad-based assessment of applied Web technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by twenty five university and college faculty from …

Co-Opertition: Competitive Communication Behavior During A Cooperative Task, Daniel M. Hlavac

Masters Theses

A combined effort of two classes at separate universities was examined. Each class boasted six groups which were paired with another group at the other university. These teams used computer mediated communication to engage in a cooperative task. The communications between groups were analyzed using conversational analytic techniques to reveal a competitive communication pattern. The results show that a lack of communication can produce competitive behaviors even in situations intended to nurture cooperation. Future concerns should focus on teaching groups to use computer mediated communication (CMC) to its fullest potential by recognizing and accounting for the critical differences between CMC …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Audiographic Distance Education In Three Central Illinois High Schools, Kenneth R. Reed

Masters Theses

Audiographic conferencing is a distance education practice being used in schools. Audiographic conferencing utilizes hardware and software to provide interactive audio and data transmission between locations. This study was conducted to assess the perceived effectiveness of the components of audiographic distance education by teachers and students in three Central Illinois High Schools involved in utilizing audiographics as a delivery system in terms of hardware, software, teaching techniques, appropriateness of course content, delivery system, and student achievement.

The study took place during the 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97 school years utilizing a survey of a population of teachers and students involved in …