Virtual Instruction: Issues and Insights from an International Perspective / Edition 1

by Carine M. Feyten, Joyce Nutta

Overview

Throughout the world, schools, universities, and industry have begun to use virtual instruction to expand their outreach to learners and to promote collaboration and exchange among educators. As these virtual communities encompass the globe, questions regarding the nature of teaching learning, and communicating in a technology-embedded, multicultural, and border-free environment have arisen. The essays in this book clarify predominant theoretical issues that pertain to this new form of computer-mediated, interactive distance learning and offer practical suggestions for implementing virtual instruction programs. Addressing a variety of instructional technologies (e.g., web-based instruction, videoconferencing), the book examines virtual instruction from different perspectives, including economics, sociology, communication, and learning theory. Invaluable to educators and students of teacher education, instructional design, technology, and communication, the book will appeal to anyone involved in or w

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563087141
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/15/1999
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

CARINE M. FEYTEN is Associate Professor, Director of Foreign Language Education, College of Education, University of South Florida, South Tampa

JOYCE W. NUTTA is Assistant Professor, Department of Secondary Education, at the same institution.

Editorial Reviews

Educators from the United States, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Japan discuss the way that these cultures utilize and adapt technology to enhance student learning and performance; they also provide guidance in planning and implementing such programs. There is an incredible breadth of information here. Cost effectiveness; suitable audiences; planning, history, and progress in the field; videoconferencing, e-mail, and other forms of Web communication; challenges of diversity; and predictions about the future use of technology in education are all discussed. While only one chapter is specifically devoted to virtual instruction in grades K-12, others address this population in a more general way. The writers, primarily from universities, support their conclusions with research. Some charts and graphs illustrate findings. While not a light read, Virtual Instruction will be useful to anyone interested in distance learning.-Kimberly A. Ault, Lewisburg Area High School, PA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

School Library Journal

Feyten and Nutta, both faculty in the College of Education at the University of South Florida, and a number of international scholars address virtual instruction from a number of different perspectives, including economics, sociology, communication, and learning theory. This multidisciplinary approach provides a general framework for both the theoretical possibilities of virtual instruction, and also assure that specific guidelines are laid out for its implementation. The essays cover topics such as virtual instruction's cost effectiveness, the effects of cultural and linguistic differences in a virtual classroom, and the use of videoconferencing in education. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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