Dale Shaffer

Quality in distance education

1 Gordon Davies, Moderator, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK g.davies@open.ac.uk 2 C. Fay Cover, Sun Microsystems, Denver, CO. fay.cover@SUN.COM 3 Wendy Lawrence-Fowler, University of Texas-Pan American, Center for Distance Learning, Edinburg, TX, wfowler@panam.edu 4 Mark Guzdial, College of Computing, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, guzdial@cc.gatech.edu Abstract  The discussion last year at the annual convention of the American Federation of Teachers and the subsequent resolution that was passed highlights the concern felt by many about the quality of distance education programs. There are many who feel that the quality of the teaching, the support that students receive and the information provided to students is not as good in a distance education environment as in a conventional face-to-face situation.The panelists come from varying backgrounds, coming from a variety of academic institutions and industry. The panelists will explain how quality is assured at their institutions and claim that students who do learn at a distance receive as good an education as those in the faceto-face environment. Evidence to justify the claim will be produced. Factors such as the cost of the provision and the scalability of the operation are factors that will also be discussed.

The use of Logo in an introductory computer science course

The use of LOGO as a first language in Computer Science is examined and compared to the use of Applesoft BASIC. The method for demonstrating LOGOs adequacy is based on comparisons with ACMs CS1 model.

Internet-based distance learning: a multi-continental perspective

~!~i~! ~ii iiiiii ~I~+I~ i ! i !ii i i Columnist Note The distance learning column in this issue compares and contrasts two applications of internet-based distance learning in computing. It also attempts to determine the general direction of distance learning and the global effects. The author has the perspective of teaching using two diistance learning approaches originating from two continents. ---Gordon Davies Computing Department Faculty of Mathematics and Computing The Open University Milton Keynes MK7 6AA UK <G.Davies@open.ac.uk>

Opportunities in international teacher exchanges (abstract)

Teaching in a foreign country is an exating opportunity which contains many interesting challenges and rewards. Exchange teachers must understand cliff erences in culture and educational systems which directly effect how students learn. In the process, teachers often rethink their entire teaching strategy, posing important questions about themselves and their disciplines. The resulting perspectives gained by exchangers adds new dimensions to both their professional and personal lives.