Randal D. Carlson

Effective Use of CMC Tools in Interactive Online Learning

Abstract Instructors designing online learning can utilize an array of computer-mediated communication tools to promote student engagement and interaction. This paper surveys the tools available, focusing on uses of the tools for learning (Type II uses). Research results and implications for practice are presented for asynchronous (e-mail, listserv, discussion boards, and blogs/Weblogs) and synchronous (chat, instant messaging, and audio and video Web-based conferencing) tools.

Portfolio Assessment of Instructional Technology.

This article addresses one specific method of authentic assessment, portfolio assessment, by applying this method in two case studies assessing learning of instructional technology. Suggestions for practitioners who wish to use this method are provided at the conclusion of the article.

Mining Hidden Gems beneath the Surface: A Look at the Invisible Web

The future of the information landscape is being shaped by new technologies that store and retrieve information. For many computer users, the Web is their first and last stop in information searching. Searches produce an overwhelming amount of returns, but may have few that are “on target.” Finding general information may be easy, but depth of information is frequently lacking. This article focuses on describing resources for researchers, called the Invisible Web, that are hidden from usual search tools and contrasting them with those resources available in the surface Web. It then identifies search tools and strategies that can be used to dig beneath the surface of the Web to locate credible, in-depth information. These resources must be accessed using specialized search tools and databases.