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This paper discusses an evaluation study of WISDeM, an interactive Distance Learning Tool. It covers the evaluation rational, details of usability evaluation, designing the evaluation, the objectives and respondents, the study, the raison d’être for the questions asked and basic assumptions, what needed to be evaluated, the execution of the evaluation, its results and conclusions. The evaluation results indicated that Communication Preference and Learning Styles matching between a computer interface and the student user is likely to enhance his/her ability for memory rehearsal, learning and knowledge recall more effectively than without it.

Technological improvements in broadband and distributed computing are making it possible to distribute live media content cost‐effectively. Because of this, organizations are looking into cost‐effective approaches to implement e‐Learning initiatives. Indeed, computing resources are not enough by themselves to promote better e‐Learning experiences. Hence, our goal is to share preliminary results on testing a holistic evaluation method for e‐Learning environments. To this end, we have built an experience within class dynamics using an open source Learning Virtual Environment integrated with webcast and video archive features. Our proposed evaluation method capyures user feedback by classifying it according to motivation to e‐learn in groups, since we have found this approach simpler than using classic behavioural methods. This helped us to define practical design guidelines to yield faster and more efficient e‐Learning development processes. Our results show that consistent communication both online and offline, translates into efficiency. It also dampens negative perceptions during the transition from traditional to online learning environments. These results will contribute in designing intervention strategies to optimize organizational investments in e‐Learning across user groups and contexts.

Design prescriptions to create web‐based courses and sites that are dynamic, easy‐to‐use, interactive and data‐driven, emerge from a “how to do it” approach. Unfortunately, the theory behind these methods, prescriptions, procedures or tools, is rarely provided and the important terms, such as “easy‐to‐use”, to which these prescriptions refer are not defined. The empirical results reported here bring lighting on the meaning of several design prescriptions that contain qualitative attributes. This paper aims at clarifying the meaning of several web‐based course design prescriptions found in the literature in the context of two music web‐based courses. Two examples are presented and the results of the students’ assessment regarding several design prescriptions are given. First, what we learned while producing the first release of the web part of an undergraduate music course entitled Teaching and Music Technology is presented. Then, what else we learned when the second release was assessed by students is detailed. The next part concerns what we used while developing the undergraduate music course French‐Canadian folk which gives access to several music files and scores. Again the results of the students’ assessment are presented. The list of the various technologies that must be highly mastered to produce such musical content is given.

International New copyright provisions for digital transmission. Two new treaties relating to copyright in digital transmissions have been agreed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation's (WIPO) Diplomatic Conference. WIPO is a UN agency with a membership of 159 states.

The convergence of multimedia, virtual reality and the Internet is promoting low‐cost multimedia virtual environments which are easily accessible to large network communities. These environments, which facilitate usability and enhance user experience, are very suitable for supporting user‐oriented application domains such as e‐learning and entertainment. This paper presents a multimedia virtual environment, namely the Virtual Video Gallery, an advanced, distributed media on‐demand system which is browsable through a virtual world. By taking a virtual walk inside the gallery, the user can interactively select, preview, watch and control multimedia sessions. While the user‐centred design of the system relies on UML‐based modelling techniques, system implementation is obtained by the integration of Java, VRML and Web‐based technologies. In order to evaluate the user‐oriented effectiveness of the Virtual Video Gallery and compare it to currently available Internet‐based MoD systems, the usability testing of the system was established for deriving both summative and formative usability data.

This paper seeks to describe XML technologies and to show how they can be applied for developing web‐based courses and supporting authors who do not have much experience with the preparation of web‐based courses.

When developing online courses the academic staff has to address the following problem – how to keep pace with the ever‐changing technology. Using XML technologies helps to develop a learning environment which can be useful for academics when designing web‐based courses, preparing the materials and then reusing them.

The paper discusses the benefits of using XML for developing computer‐based courses. The task of introducing new versions of existing courses can be reduced to editing appropriate XML files without any need for program change and an author can perform this task easily from a computer connected to the internet. What is more – using XML makes it possible to reuse data in different teaching situations.

The environment has only been used for two years and further research is needed on how user‐friendly the system really is and how it can still be improved.

The paper describes the environment which can be used to develop and reuse online materials, courses, metadata etc.

The paper offers practical help to academics interested in web‐based teaching.

Literature on face‐to‐face intercultural business communication (IBC) suggests that language, culture, business culture, and interpersonal context variables lead to misunderstandings, but these predictors have not been studied with regard to e‐mail communication. This exploratory study identifies variables that cause e‐mail miscommunication, reduce work accomplishment, and harm business relationships. We conducted a survey to capture the effect of common predictors and asked respondents to share the most commonly employed strategies when communication problems arose. We offer a multi‐dimensional model for further research.

This paper presents a report on a new multiplayer simulation game for government and/or non‐government interpersonal and intercultural communication training that launched in December 2004 and was designed expressly to serve as a non‐violent virtual sandbox in which multiple players practice communication skills, mental agility, and hone cultural awareness acumen. The game is currently being used in leadership training programs.

This study seeks to develop a framework of analysis that categorizes features of e‐government web site design in a matrix of knowledge‐acquiring process versus learners' values. The proposed framework supports a development plan for a cyber governmental web site that may involve all aspects of a learning process.

A framework for analysis is first proposed. Data were obtained from 137 part‐time students during a class. Participants were requested to enter the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) web site to learn a subject of their choice in a computer lab. The instruments used for obtaining their opinions were open‐ended questionnaires. Two focus group interviews were also conducted. An iterative analyzing strategy based on grounded theory was employed to obtain the results.

Analytical results of the data based on the framework reveals many insights. Participants indicated that navigational aids, knowledge contents and other designs related to interactive knowledge sharing are important. Nevertheless, e‐government webmasters often ignore these important features. The proposed framework is a valuable tool for web site development and maintenance.

Although many theories about the usability of e‐government web sites have been proposed, the needs of individual learners have seldom been addressed. Since learning is critical to economic prosperity and social cohesion, the factors that make an e‐government web site supportive for learners should be explored. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to examine an e‐government web site from a learner perspective. Furthermore, this investigation presents a framework that facilitates analyzing and improving e‐government web sites.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development and implementation of interactive video in an organisational setting, with a view to enhancing the quality of just in time training provided.

The paper uses a small but focused research approach which builds on current literature to inform the design and implementation of interactive video. Qualitative data is used to evaluate staff perceptions of training materials.

Findings indicate that the use of interactive video can greatly enhance the quality of training in the workplace.

Findings reinforce previous research on interactive video, demonstrating its ability to provide worthwhile and engaging content. This study demonstrates that investing in innovative and learner focused approaches to training can increase the effectiveness and flexibility of training materials.

While the use of video in education is widely researched, there is a comparative lack of literature around the use of interactive video in workplace training environments. This paper provides a unique look at the implementation of interactive video in a workplace setting and the staff perceptions of its impact. The study also provides an insight into the use of just in time training to solve a specific training problem.