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This paper discusses methodology and technology to aid students learning programming. We have identified and integrated the problem solving and program development skills and knowledge students need to apply when programming with the cognitive activities required to accomplish these tasks. We then developed a composite methodological/software environment that supports the overall process of programming in a manner that gives appropriate weight to both language issues and problem solving. The results of a classroom evaluation of the method and the tool are then presented.

Computer conferencing is a form of computer‐mediated communication that facilitates continuing coherent discussions among many persons on multiple, and often complex, topics. This article discusses the use of electronic conferencing, along with the benefits and results, at EDUCOM'89, where it was experimentally applied at a large face‐to‐face conference.

How do online customers judge a product's attributes in cyberspace? Previous studies of online product category suggest that all goods are not equal on the Web, because products have different attributes. Furthermore, the literature assumes that the customer's ability to evaluate product quality on the Web differs according to product attributes. Based on these considerations, the purpose of this study is to determine whether a customer's dissatisfaction and propensity to complain on the Web differ depending on product category. This study examines how selected variables (i.e. monetary, and non‐monetary effort, and the degree of involvement) influenced the impact of product category on customer dissatisfaction. The analysis was performed using survey data, collected both online and offline. The findings suggest the most appropriate strategies online companies should employ for each product category in question.

A discussion on the need for integration of distance learning into regular courses to ensure quality of education for all. Face‐to‐face students and distance learners should exist in the same communication environment, and faculty who introduce new technology in this way should be rewarded.

The guest‐editors of the first Special Issue on E‐Collaboration provide an introduction to the issue. E‐collaboration is broadly defined as collaboration among individuals engaged in a common task using electronic technologies. A brief history of the evolution of e‐collaboration technologies is offered along with a discussion of research in the area. The paper concludes with a brief review of the contributions to the Special Issue and a look at one important future challenge for e‐collaboration researchers, the challenge of theoretical summarization.

Face‐to‐face business meetings are a widely used method of group interaction, and a rich source of data on what actually happens in group discussions. Active participation in a meeting is usually perceived to be making an oral contribution of some kind to the discussion. This paper describes a field study of ten face‐to‐face business meetings which were videotaped and subsequently analysed. Participant contributions were coded, and the data summarized. The mean contribution was approximately 12 seconds and 18 words. The most common contribution type was information giving. The highest single contributor in each meeting captured, on average, about 30% of the available airtime, while the two highest, combined, captured over half of the airtime. These findings are discussed within the context of requirements for designers of collaborative technology systems to support group interpersonal communication through the use of computing and data communication technologies.

E‐Teaching as the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education is of growing importance for educational theory and practice. Many universities and other higher education institutions use ICT to support teaching. However, there are contradicting opinions about the value and outcome of e‐teaching. This paper starts with a review of the literature on e‐teaching and uses this as a basis for distilling success factors for e‐teaching. It then discusses the case study of an e‐voting system used for giving student feedback and marking student presentations. The case study is critically discussed in the light of the success factors developed earlier. The conclusion is that e‐teaching, in order to be successful, should be embedded in the organisational and individual teaching philosophy.

The present paper details research conducted into various aspects of author experience, attitudes and perceptions of publishing in paper and electronic journals. A sample of 1,040 authors in a variety of disciplines was identified as having published a journal article in the preceding year. A questionnaire was distributed to these authors and 537 usable replies were received. The questionnaire was analysed in terms of author experience in the paper and electronic domains, authors’ views on various aspects of electronic journals and their current skills. The results of the questionnaire suggest a small but increasing willingness to submit articles to electronic journals, but also suggest continuing concern about the permanence of such media. Almost a third of the sample felt that the addition of multimedia to their articles would be beneficial but few had the necessary skills to produce and incorporate multimedia objects. It is concluded that authors should be involved more in future research and debate in electronic serial publishing.

The proliferation of networks is a significant factor in the development and growth of computer conferencing. The authors examine this form of communication and the behavioural and psychological factors which determine its success or otherwise as an effective means of information transfer. In particular, an examination of a computer conferencing experiment using a local area network in the Department of Information Science. University of Strathclyde demonstrated that, despite problems—ergonomic and technical—computer conferencing and electronic journal production have considerable potential and appeal.