Abstract: A short introduction to course webs and why to build them. Does not descibe how to build them, which requires understanding of HTML and design.
A number of instructors are putting course materials online, building course webs on the World-Wide Web. Why? For a number of resaons. Should you be doing it too? Yes. Can you do it? Yes.
However, you should not enter the process of web construction lightly. Before beginning, you should consider your reasons for building a course web, the purpose for building your web, and the appropriate components for your web,
Different instructors have many different reasons for putting their materials online. Some of the more common ones follow.
A course web provides additional resources for students. We can't always be available for our students. A course web permits us to make resources available that help them answer their own questions.
A course web saves paper. Presumably, students can use most of the materials online (or copy them to their own computer, if they have one), which should save paper. Unfortunately, experience shows that most students end up printing much of the web content.
A course web provides a repository for reuse. Often, we reuse materials from course to course. By putting materials in a web, we ensure that they're easy to find and therefore to reuse.
A course web permits interactivity. We can build quizzes that score themselves (for student self-testing), allow students to browse materials at their own pace, and even create animations and simulations. By putting materials online, you also allow students to search the course materials.
A course web encourages web use. These days, our students need to be literate in web manipulation. By requiring them to use the web in a course, you get them started in this combined skill and knowledge-base.
A course web permits use of external resources and encourages sharing of these resources. You can include links to other pages, or even load them into your own web. If someone else has provided a good example or illustration, it is possible to use it in your page. Similarly, others may borrow ideas from your pages. Intellectual property issues must still be resolved.
A course web requires us to structure course compnents. Many of us find that the process of designing a course web forces us to think about not only the pages we're designing, but their relationship to the course as a whole.
Your reasons may include any or all of the above, as well as many others.
Because there are so many reasons for creating course webs, there are many different types of course webs. As you start to build your web, you may wish to consider which kind or kinds is best for you and your students.
The simplest course web simply provides online versions of printed handouts, such as syllabi, exercises, and class notes. Given that most of us prepare our handouts electronically, it is not difficult to either prepare them in HTML or convert them to HTML.
It is also reasonable to supplement standard course materials with self-tests, additional notes, external resources, examples, and such. In general, these supplements allow students to explore on their own and help them learn when you're not available.
Some course webs are simply collections of links to resources. Such webs are particularly appropriate for research-oriented courses, where students are expected to find informaton on their own, but may need guidance as to where to find it.
We're seeing a growing number of webs used as distance learning environments and course replacements. I'd caution against building such webs unless you well understand the issues in distance education and have a compelling reason to build such a web.
The previous discussion indicates some of the many components you might include in your course web. To reiterate, your web may include:
This is not to say that course webs are only positive resources. There are a number of potential problems with the use of course webs in classes.
Students are easily overwhelmed by the diversity of materials. Many are trained to read everything that the instructor provides. For such students, additional resources simply mean more work for them. However, at some point these students need to learn how to select from a wide variety of materials, so this may be a positive, rather than a negative.
Not all web pages are correct or reasonable. If you're relying on external resources, you may find that students learn incorrect "facts" or develop a different perspective on a topic than is appropriate. However, students do need to learn that not everything that appears "in print" is correct.
Course webs may affect attendance. Some students feel that if enough materials are available online, then it is not necessary for them to come to class (at least at the college level). If you don't think that class attendance is necessary, then this isn't a problem. However, I find that students gain a lot from classes, as classes can force students to think "on their feet" and allow them to ask questions when they are confused. There are a number of strategies for encouraging attendance.
Course webs affect note-taking. Often, students take fewer notes if they feel that the materials are available elsewhere. Unfortunately, for most students, note-taking has a clear role in learning. You might resolve this problem by talking to students about reasons for taking notes.
This page written by Samuel A. Rebelsky.
This page generated on 58 by SamR's Site Suite.