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Convert<strong>in</strong>g a Large Introductory Course <strong>in</strong>to an Internet Course:<br />

Process, Problems, and Solutions<br />

Gregory F. Aloia, Ph.D. Professor<br />

Department of Specialized Educational Development<br />

Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State University<br />

United States of America<br />

E-mail gfaloia@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu<br />

Rodney P. Riegle, Ph.D. Professor<br />

Department of Educational Adm<strong>in</strong>istration and Foundations<br />

Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State University<br />

United States of America<br />

E-mail rpriegle@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu<br />

Perry L. Schoon, Doctoral Student<br />

Department of Educational Adm<strong>in</strong>istration and Foundations<br />

Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State University<br />

United States of America<br />

E-mail plschoon@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu<br />

“We have learned that you have to encourage learn<strong>in</strong>g by do<strong>in</strong>g, that the learn<strong>in</strong>g has to be relevant<br />

to classroom experience ands that you need to model good practice.” Harr<strong>in</strong>gton-Luker [<br />

, 1996].<br />

Convert<strong>in</strong>g a college course <strong>in</strong>to an <strong>in</strong>ternet course is a sufficiently challeng<strong>in</strong>g undertak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

itself. However, when attempt<strong>in</strong>g to convert a large <strong>in</strong>troductory lecture section (n>200) <strong>in</strong>to an <strong>in</strong>ternet<br />

course, there are several additional areas that need to be addressed if the course is to be successful. The<br />

course <strong>in</strong> question is an <strong>in</strong>troductory course for education majors at a large midwestern university known<br />

for its excellence <strong>in</strong> teacher education [Hurst, 1994]. It is the largest course to date <strong>in</strong> the College of<br />

Education to be converted to the <strong>in</strong>ternet. The course is an attempt to provide education majors with direct<br />

experiences with technology as they prepare for the profession of teach<strong>in</strong>g O’Neil, [ 1995].<br />

There are five key areas that must be addressed <strong>in</strong> prepar<strong>in</strong>g to convert a traditional large<br />

<strong>in</strong>troductory lecture section <strong>in</strong>to an <strong>in</strong>ternet course. They are:<br />

1) The staff and personnel requirements<br />

2) The logistics and support network on campus<br />

3) Evaluation of the course, students and <strong>in</strong>structor<br />

4) Issues related to <strong>in</strong>dividualiz<strong>in</strong>g the learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

5) Research questions to be exam<strong>in</strong>ed<br />

The staff needed for the course would consist of the professor and at least two graduate teach<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Assistants (TA’s). In addition to the content knowledge related to the course, the TA’s will need to be<br />

familiar and comfortable with the <strong>in</strong>ternet and the technology <strong>in</strong>volved. Specific tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g will need to be<br />

planned to enable the TA’s to a) run chat rooms, b) evaluate assignments, c) assist students enrolled <strong>in</strong> the<br />

course with various problems that arise, d) assess new sites on the Web, etc.<br />

Additional contact time for plann<strong>in</strong>g and problem solv<strong>in</strong>g would need to scheduled between the<br />

TA’s and the <strong>in</strong>structor.<br />

The logistics and support network on campus is essential. The demands of 200 plus students<br />

need<strong>in</strong>g to not only complete eight to ten assignments but also obta<strong>in</strong> all of the course materials via the<br />

university’s computer system can create a serious access problem. Timely and efficient access for the<br />

students is essential. Schedul<strong>in</strong>g the labs, hav<strong>in</strong>g sufficient numbers of lab technicians available,<br />

anticipat<strong>in</strong>g “system” glitches and mak<strong>in</strong>g sure that the adm<strong>in</strong>istrative units (i.e. department, college and

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