Learning In Cyberspace Research Articles

Global virtual graduate schools: learning in cyberspace

The paper first reviews the evolution of the ideas about the strategic management of information technology and how these ideas are seen today. Secondly, an examination is made of the explosive growth of the Internet and of the World Wide Web, both in terms of the profusion of new technologies and in the increasing access to the Internet from homes and offices. The development of electronic exhibitions, forums and journals is then discussed, together with ideas of virtual and digital libraries and the implications these have for teaching. A personal narrative is provided showing the evolution of the author's use of the Internet for teaching. The possibilities and problems of developing virtual schools are then discussed, both for the global virtual business school and the global virtual library school. Finally, conclusions are drawn, some key issues identified and some warnings issued.

Distance Learning in Cyberspace

Distance Learning in Cyberspace

Teaching and learning in cyberspace

From both a technological and educational perspective, cyber education creates a multitude of challenges for students and instructors. Both novice and experienced computer users alike must master the use of Internet tools quickly, while also working to overcome conceptual misunderstandings about the technology and its root metaphors. The technology also makes commenting on student documents cumbersome but does have the benefit of creating a digitized record of students' writing processes, while also allowing for the online publication of students' work. Other benefits include more active learning and better interactive collaboration. Preliminary assessments further indicate that, despite critics' concerns about the rigor and quality of distance learning, for a variety of technical and social reasons, student work is equal to and sometimes better than that of on-campus students.