Most experts in distance education believe that computer-based distance education is a necessity for advacement of our learning society, for being a lifelong learner, and for surviving in tough global economy. I think this method will be the dominating model for helping our nontraditional students and individuals who need to learn new skills or upgrade exiting skills in order to preserve or advance their current work status. In addition, this model of teaching and learning will be a the dominating force in our traditional and on campus education. In the near future many on campus classes will be offered fully or partially by Internet (WWW). The field of computer-based distance education is new and more research should be done regarding the level of computer and communication skills which is adequate for a successful and positive educational experiences in computer-based distance education, and  more information is needed about students characteristics, students motivations for participation, students objectives from these classes, effective training and support programs, teachers' new role, and instructional design in this new pedagogy. In addition, knowledge about effective pedagogies to foster online distance education is crucial for success of this model of teaching and learning.

In 1996, I finished a year long research study with the primary research question being the computer and communication skills of teachers and students who have participated in computer-based distance education in higher education institutions in Indiana. The research also investigated the characteristics of participants, motivations for participation, training and support programs, and concenrs and advantages of the computer-based distance education. In 1998, I finished a national research study about faculty members' new roles and responsibilities, and needed training and support in online distance education. In 2000, I finished a national research study about the search for a new pedagogy. Over 90 faculty members from 27 institutions of higher education who taught online Internet-based courses participated in this study. The reports of studies were pulished in different journals and presented in different conferences. The Abstract of the research activities and results is available for interested visitors. In addition, I created a Research Site which has results of research studies, design of questionnaires, a few papers about distance education, and links to other sites. I have plan to continue my research activity by designing new teacher and student questionnaires on the web. I will try to investigate teachers' new role and effective course design on the web which can help development of critical thinking and satisfy participants' objectives.