Computer-Mediated Communications for Distance Education and Training: LiteratureReview and International Resources

摘要

This report offers Army instructors and instructional designers a practicalreview of research findings on the successful implementation of computer mediated communications (CMC) for distance education and a reference guide to international resources useful to both researchers and practitioners. The report summarizes and integrates material drawn from a wide range of international resources, including distance education journals, internal reports, conference papers, ERIC documents, and books and journals pertaining to education, psychology, technology, computers, and communication. Part 1 of the report, the literature review, provides instructors and instructional designers with practical knowledge regarding the design and implementation of distance training with CMC, including relevent knowledge about specific needs of distance students. Example topics include frequency of feedback; effective design and implementation of group activities; shifts in instructor role for a distance environment; characteristics of successful distance students and instructors; and recommendations for pacing of students and instructors.