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Session 3647

Developing “Civil Construction,” An Internet Class using Electronic Blackboard

William J. Strenth Pittsburg State University (PSU), Pittsburg Kansas

Abstract

Since the summer intern experience for students in construction engineering and management technologies has become so important to them, most have not been able to enroll in on-site summer school classes. In the past students have taken such summer school classes in order to reduce their class load during the fall and spring semesters. The description of the process used to determine if interest in a summer, 2000, Internet course existed as well as which course would be offered will be reviewed. Further discussion will focus on the methods of delivery and their technical problems as they related to the implementation of the course work.

With the adoption of Electronic Blackboard at Pittsburg State University in the spring, 2000 semester, a foundation was established upon which to build an Internet-based course. The format of the course material for “Civil Construction” made it possible for twenty-two students to participate. Lessons learned as well as suggestions for implementation and improvement will be provided. Although numerous obstacles in the delivery of such a course occurred, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Reflection of the experiences in this prototype for the Department of Engineering Technology has resulted in an interest from other faculty in other departments who would like to introduce Electronic Blackboard in their classes.

Introduction

During the early part of the spring, 2000 semester, all construction students were surveyed to determine which courses, if any, they would be interested in taking over the Internet during the summer as an off-campus course. The top three choices of the Construction Engineering Technology and Construction Management students surveyed were civil construction, construction management, and estimating. It was decided that civil construction would be the course most adaptable to an Internet format. Civil Construction for the summer of 2000 was then added to the schedule.

At this time students were advised that the course would be provided as long as enrollment justified its offering. Because this would be a beta class, enrollment was limited to 20 students. The class closed the first day of advance registration. An additional 10 students were placed on a wait list. During a normal fall semester, typical enrollment in civil construction ranges from between 40 to 50 students.

Proceeding of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright @ 2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Strenth, W. (2001, June), Developing Civil Construction, An Internet Class, Using Electronic Blackboard Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9106