Sylvia Manning
Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Illinois
Burks Oakley II
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Illinois

Abstract:
The University of Illinois has for decades delivered off-campus instruction through various media, from postal correspondence courses to videotape, television, two-way video, and satellite. The UI-OnLine will expand these efforts with a focus on computer-based communication via the Internet. As the UI-OnLine experiments with interactive, at-distance offerings of public-service information, short courses, regular courses, certificate programs and degree programs, it will simultaneously support computer-based enhancement of traditional, on-campus instruction.

Michal Beller
Director, Center for Design of Distance Teaching Methods
The Open University of Israel

Abstract:
To create a more effective learning environment and extend access to a more diverse set of learners, while controlling spiraling costs, the Open University of Israel (OUI) has decided to introduce improved educational strategies and new ways of organizing its distance teaching and learning methods.

Cynthia D. Liston, Policy Associate
Regional Technology Strategies, Inc.

Abstract:
Two-year colleges are widely-regarded as appropriate institutions both to meet the technical education needs of post-high school youth and to provide the "life-long" skills upgrading that will allow manufacturing workers to keep up with technological advances in order to find --and keep-- high skill/high wage jobs. Yet, as discussed, gaining new skills via traditional classrooms and laboratories is increasingly difficult for manufacturing managers and production workers in small and medium-sized firms. Through a project funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, six two-year colleges that are members of the Consortium for Manufacturing Competitiveness (CMC) have developed ALNs to test how well they can meet educational needs in the technical workplace. Although final evaluation results from the colleges participating in this project are not yet available, preliminary evidence shows an enthusiastic response from companies and students taking part. The CMC is considering a second phase that will convert more courses to an ALN format and jointly package them so that firms have access to the entire array of ALNs by members of the CMC --not just those developed by their local community or technical college.

Richard F. E. Crang
Department of Plant Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Abstract:
The development of World Wide Web course notes, quizzes, interactive materials, and conferencing as an package is described. The course for which these materials are primarily intended is introductory plant biology at the undergraduate level for on-campus learners. Special attention is given to the design features of the Web presentation that make it interesting, easy to use, capable of monitoring, informative, and visually attractive. The intent is to make the course framework available for use in a wide variety of courses at different educational levels.

fay F. Chang, Li-Chieh Lin, Xiaolong Hao, Humbert Suarez and Jim St. Lawrence
Polytechnic University

Abstract:
The Cyberspace Assisted Responsive Education (CARE) methodology uses advanced information and communication technologies to provide cost-effective education. CARE was first implemented on the Internet (hence, I-CARE) because the Internet provides an open platform and cross platform languages such as Perl and Java thus facilitating the construction and integration of a system capable of serving a wide base of learners regardless of their location or computer operating system. It is built on a generalized web server.

This paper describes I-CARE’s delivery platform which includes a set of communication, learning and research tools as well as courseware. The system’s design, implementation, and the operation of I-CARE and its functions are also presented.

A postgraduate course, Internet Informatics, was modularly constructed and delivered in the summer of 1996 to demonstrate how interactive asynchronous group teaching and learning can be practiced over the Internet. The experiences encountered in the delivery of this course are summarized. The future outlook for I-CARE is also discussed.

John Sener
Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC),   Extended Learning Institute (ELI)

Abstract:
This document is a compilation of current fields, concepts, and trends in education and training, including a description of how each of these relates to asynchronous learning networks, or ALNs.  Each concept, trend, or field is subjectively described in three categories:

• Definition = a brief definition or description of the concept, or trend, etc.;
• Relevance = an explanation of its significance, i.e., why it appears on this list; and
• Relationship to ALN = an explanation of how the trend, or concept relates to ALN (e.g, how it is similar or different, how it fits or doesn't fit).

Martine Dawant and John Bourne
Vanderbilt University

Abstract:
This article is addressed to anybody who would like to create his/her own Website to support an on-line course. This article is PC-oriented so you will find a lot of information concerning PCs . Some information about Apple will be given as well.
We will review different topics listed below:

• Equipment (Hardware, Software)
• Architecture of your site (on the server)
• Maintenance and Updating
• Glossary
• Tips