Wilss, L. (1997) "Computer Assisted Learning at Queensland Institute of Technology." Brisbane, QLD.: QUT Publications and Printery, ISBN 1864353244
This book serves as a real life case study of the implementation of computer assisted learning in a university. The book is based upon studies conducted in order to assess the impact computers have when integrated into higher education courses. Through compiling and evaluating responses from four very different fields: Mathematics, Optometry, Humanities and Nursing; a well-rounded view of computer assisted learning has been established. Students, lecturers and instructional designers all took part in the studies in order to gain a complete perspective of the impacts computers have on higher education. This book successfully delivers an insightful look into both the advantages and limitations of computer assisted learning, based on real results, not simply the author's theories. While this material would be very useful, it is not completely relevant as it discusses computers as a whole application, opposed to focusing solely on the internet as the topic dictates. Nevertheless, it addresses many of the issues involved with internet learning in a comprehensive and real to life setting.
Elyse Pickens 18:22, 5 Aug 2004 (EST)
Elyse Pickens 18:37, 5 Aug 2004 (EST)
Jochems, W., van Merrienboer, J., and Koper, R. (2004) "Integrated E-learning." London: RoutledgeFalmer, ISBN 0415335035
This book is an extremely in-depth study of e-learning. It discusses not just e-learning as a factor on its own, but repeatedly stresses the need for the internet's capabilities to be carefully integrated into everyday learning. The book also advises that e-learning should not simply be a matter of putting the original material into a digital form, but should be specifically designed for digital purposes if to gain the full advantage of the internet's offerings. With these thoughts in mind, the authors proceed to outline how integrated e-learning can be achieved through careful design and evaluation of course structures. The text also describes how this can be implemented by outlining simple steps and examples of how to develop digital content that can be applied to existing or developing courses. This book is really a step by step guide to introducing e-learning into higher education, and for that reason is very useful for this assignment topic. Not only does it discuss the implications and implementation of e-learning, but also the effects it can have, shown through various case studies.
Elyse Pickens 10:52, 10 Aug 2004 (EST)
Herman, E.S. and McChesney, R.W. (1997) "The Global Media." London: Cassell, ISBN 0304334332
While this text does not specifically refer to higher education, it gives a broad overview of many of the advancements in the rise of global media. Discussions about the internet, digital revolution and global media could all be applied to the scope of higher education and the effects these technologies have had on the educational field. The chapters on media globalisation give an insightful look into how new media technologies are eliminating boundaries between continents and connecting people who were previously hard to reach, which of course could be examined from an educational perspective with the rise of long distance learning. The chapter concerning the US experience and influence of media globalisation could be used to draw distinctions between the US domination of power around the globe, corresponding with both the success of US graduates worldwide and the demand for US courses from abroad. The following chapter examines media globalisation in 10 other regions comparing their technological advancements with the US, but in an assignment could be further explored by determining the popularity of their courses with overseas students. Thus, conclusions can be drawn from advances in media technologies and the demand on higher education. Although this text discusses global media as a whole and does not specifically examine education, many areas are still useful in the understanding of new media technologies, and relations to education can still be drawn.
Elyse Pickens 11:08, 10 Aug 2004 (EST)
Dutton, W.H.(ed.) and Loader, B.D.(ed.) (2002) "Digital Academe." London: Routledge, ISBN 0415262259
This text looks not just simply at the advances currently being applied to education with new digitisation techniques, but asks the question, 'How will the Internet reshape the institutions and processes of higher education and learning?' The editors have drawn upon the perspectives of educationalists, international practitioners and researchers to compile a comprehensive discussion of the implications new media technologies have and may have in the future, upon the different areas of education. Since the material concentrates specifically on the higher education sector and the impacts digitisation is having on it, it is an extremely useful book for the assignment topic. Advantages and disadvantages of the new technologies are discussed; including the extra accessibility and range of ways courses can be constructed and used, as well as the downfalls of access through wealth and the possibilities of undermining quality and existing jobs. Case studies provide insights into universities providing online distance learning options and the added competition for places which may ensue. Finally, the book offers some guiding principles for innovations in online education. Overall, "Digital Academe" offers discussions on many different areas of the higher education spectrum combined with the emergence of new media technologies, all of which would be useful for the assignment topic.
Elyse Pickens 11:24, 10 Aug 2004 (EST)
Commonwealth of Australia. (2000) "The Business of Borderless Education." http://www.dest.gov.au/archive/highered/eippubs/eip00_3/execsum.htm ISBN 0642444471
As cited "New Media: An Introduction", (Flew, 2002) this website contains a detailed study of alternative education, often undertaken with the help of new media technologies. This Australian site examines many new higher education providers and the impacts these have on public institutions. Corporate universities are looked at in-depth, within the US setting. It is stated that many of the driving factors behind the emergence of new types of learning in the US also affect Australia, as well as including the factors that do differ between the nations. The factors that seem to have driven the changes in higher education include an increasingly globalised economy, the emergence of a post-industrial age, credit versus non-credit professional development education and "just-in-case" education versus "just-in-time" training. Yet the study still concluded that purely online or virtual universities have yet to show much success. Instead, an integrated approach of face-to-face contact combined with digitised content has proven to be the most popular option for institutions today. This site serves as a valuable resource for this assignment topic as it is real to life and proven to be true, based on the practices of today's universities; not just mere hypotheses.
Elyse Pickens 21:01, 11 Aug 2004 (EST)
Brabazon, T. (2002) "Digital Hemlock." Sydney, NSW.: UNSW Press, ISBN 086840781X
This book takes a negative stance on the current innovations taking place in Australian universities. The author succinctly describes the goal of her work to '.... remind teachers, students, policy makers and the general public of the alternatives to the assumed inevitability of online education.' This text describes the education system as more controversial and challenged than ever before. The chapters look in-depth at the teacher's diminishing role in the student's education, the increasing greed of universities, literacy in the information age, the advantages of lecturers teaching in person, the slipping motivation of students and the social responsibilities universities should uphold for their students. Most texts on virtual education share a largely upbeat perspective, whereas this material has drawn upon the many downfalls of the current education system, both here and abroad. While this text would be useful for determining the disadvantages of online teaching for an assignment, it must be noted it is not very even-sided, but quite prejudiced against the use of some new media technologies.
Elyse Pickens 17:40, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)
Teare, R., Davies, D. and Sandelands E. (1998) "The Virtual University." London: Cassell, ISBN 0304703249
This book focuses on how education within the workplace can be beneficial for both companies and employees. The certain emphasis on lifelong learning stresses continuous education throughout one's career. While some of the material does not directly correlate with the topic of the internet's effects on higher education, the main concepts are still present within both. Ignoring the strong overtone of the workplace, the book still discusses how new media technologies are bringing forms of education to previously not thought of places. The first chapter, "Towards a Learning Society" focuses on the ever-changing field of education and would be particularly useful, as it deals with the need for higher education qualifications in today's workforce, global divisions dissolving, and the old forms of teaching versus the new ways of delivering information.
Elyse Pickens 17:52, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)
Maddux C. D.(ed.) and Johnson D. L.(ed.) (2001) "The Web in Higher Education." New York: The Haworth Press,
ISBN 0789017075
This is a well-balanced, excellent source of information concerning the implementation and evaluation of new media technologies in higher education. It presents arguments both for and against the acceptance of the internet in today's universities, including potential future uses of this new medium. Many different areas of the topic are examined, all of them extremely useful. Whether the web in education is an asset or liability is analysed, along with whether interactive learning environments support or hinder critical thinking. Considerations for designing online courses are discussed, including the many possibilities and considerations that must be taken into account. Several case studies are examined and common myths about learning from the internet are explained. One chapter focuses solely on the development of distance universities courses using purely new media technologies. This book would leave both students and teachers completely confident in how to deal with the internet in education. Because this text covers so many areas of the internet's involvement in education, it would be a most useful resource for the assignment topic.
Elyse Pickens 18:17, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)
