In today's technology-crazed environment, distance learning is touted as a cost-effective option for delivering employee training and higher education programs, such as bachelor's, master's and even doctoral degrees. Distance Learning Technologies: Issues, Trends and Opportunities provides readers with an in-depth understanding of distance learning and the technologies available for this innovative media of learning and instruction. It traces the development of distance learning from its history to suggestions of a solid strategic implementation plan to ensure its successful and effective deployment.

The twentieth century has seen the creation and evolution of technologies beyond imagination a century ago. The computer has enabled the digital presentation of knowledge, and increased the speed with which information can be captured and processed. The acceptance of these technologies has led to a new alternative for providing education and training--distance learning. This book focuses on the processes, techniques and tools that are being used to successfully plan, implement and operate distance learning projects.

"Geared for administrators and academicians trying to develop or improve distance education programs, this text addresses the specific challenges of the virtual learning environment, such as managing the costs incurred for remote space and equipment, adjusting traditional evaluation methods, and maintaining academic integrity. The most recent research on faculty perceptions, social needs of students, library services, online programs, and video instruction is provided."

With the rise of distance education in the post-modern world, progressive research on the best methods, tools, and technologies in the field is necessary to continue to take advantage of the pedagogical opportunities and improvements offered through remote learning platforms. The Handbook of Research on Emerging Priorities and Trends in Distance Education: Communication, Pedagogy, and Technology focuses on the latest innovations and technological developments surrounding distance learning, instructional design, and computer-mediated communication in educational settings. This comprehensive research work will be of use to teachers, academicians, IT developers, upper-level students, and school administrators interested in the latest trends in online learning.

Successful use of information and communication technologies depends on usable designs that do not require expensive training, accommodate the needs of diverse users and are low cost. There is a growing demand and increasing pressure for adopting innovative approaches to the design and delivery of education, hence, the use of online learning (also called E-learning) as a mode of study. This is partly due to the increasing number of learners and the limited resources available to meet a wide range of various needs, backgrounds, expectations, skills, levels, ages, abilities and disabilities. The advances of new technology and communications (WWW, Human Computer Interaction and Multimedia) have made it possible to reach out to a bigger audience around the globe. By focusing on the issues that have impact on the usability of online learning programs and their implementation, Usability Evaluation of Online Learning Programs specifically fills-in a gap in this area, which is particularly invaluable to practitioners.

This book, written by authors representing 12 countries and five continents, is a collection of international perspectives on distance learning and distance learning implementations in higher education. The perspectives are presented in the form of practical case studies of distance learning implementations, research studies on teaching and learning in distance learning environments, and conceptual and theoretical frameworks for designing and developing distance learning tools, courses and programs. The book will appeal to distance learning practitioners, researchers, and higher education administrators. To address the different needs and interests of audience members, the book is organized into five sections: Distance Education Management, Distance Education and Teacher Development, Distance Learning Pedagogy, Distance Learning Students, and Distance Learning Educational Tools.

Distance Learning Technology, Current Instruction, and the Future of Education: Applications of Today, Practices of Tomorrow provides present and prospective directions of online education from various research fields, reporting on discussions from students, faculty members, researchers, and practitioners.

Instructional quality can make or break the learning experience, especially in digital environments where the expressional nuances of interpersonal communication are lost. The most effective distance education instructors and experts are those who recognize the educational needs of students and are able to address those needs through creative use of the technological tools available to them. Identification, Evaluation, and Perceptions of Distance Education Experts explores the current and future trends, needs, and priorities that affect the development of distance education in a postmodern world. This premier reference work will be of significance to those interested in online learning, teaching and training, communication, and education across multiple sectors such as universities, colleges, schools, profit/non-profit e-organizations, and e-commerce.

Recent research in information and document design explores research by presenting reports of actual research studies in information and document design. It specifically reports on ten studies in the areas of marketing communication (part one), functional communication (part two) and online communication (part three). An introduction places the research into a broader context and explores the different research traditions in the field. This publication is intended for researchers, who consider the different areas of study in information and document design and the different research traditions. The book is also interesting for professors and students in information and document design and related fields: it will serve as a guide in discussions during seminars on research on information and document design. Experienced practicing professionals in the field, who want to keep abreast of current developments in the field and should be prepared for upcoming ones, will benefit from this publication too.

This work provides overviews and summaries of the research and practice of distance education in the USA. It addresses such questions as how distance education is best practised at the level of the teacher, as well as the administrator.