Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session 1347

Web-based Courses: What Students Need to Know Aside from Content

Barbara Christe Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis

Abstract

When learning takes place far from campus via the web, the student has only one direct link to the resources of the college or university: the course instructor. Information that may seem obvious to traditional students must be clearly identified to the distance learner. This is critical when course participants are older and have been away from a classroom for many years. A four-course certificate is offered at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis to provide additional training for currently employed field service representatives of a major health care industry. Two important topics have surfaced that pertain to on-line teaching and learning. First, what general guidance and assistance regarding course success are useful to these participants? Examples of topics include course grading policies, university schedule requirements and communication skills with classmates and instructors in the virtual classroom. The information this certificate program uses to address these issues will be detailed. Secondly, what have been student reactions to Web-based learning when coupled with the return to a university environment? How should this guide the instructor? Anecdotal examples results will be presented. Implementation of this certificate has extracted essential information for the web- based instructor and student, which is critical to participant satisfaction and success.

I. Introduction

A four course, web-based certificate is offered at IUPUI to provide additional training for currently employed field service representatives of a major health care industry. Participants are located throughout the country. IUPUI has learned important lessons applicable to all those who desire to offer college courses via the web. This paper will focus on two important areas. First, what general guidance and assistance regarding course success are useful to course participants? Information in this area is divided into three parts. What needs to be explained prior to the beginning of the course? As the course progresses, what issues must be addressed? Once the course has completed, what follow-up information is necessary?

The second area of focus involves reactions of program participants to web-based learning as well as a return to the university environment. How should this guide the instructor? What types of learning do the students exhibit and does this vary from the traditional classroom? Does the instructor need to compensate for the lack of face-to-face communication, which is part of distance education? How can the habits of successful students guide the instructor and assist participants in future semesters?

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Christe, B. L. (2000, June), Web Based Courses:What Students Need To Know Aside From The Content Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8841