Integrating WWW into an on-campus laboratory-based teaching program

Abstract

This article describes the introduction of the World Wide Web to an on-campus laboratory-based program in psychology.

Keywords

WorldWideWeb, On-Campus, Computer-Assisted Learning, Tertiary Education, Psychology

Over the past few years, we have introduced a significant computer-based component into our second-year laboratory-based program in psychology. Computer-related activities range from word-processing and data analysis using standard commercial products (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel, SPSS for Windows), using email and newsgroups, running experiments using custom-written software, using electronic tutorial and testing programs, and accessing electronic versions of lecture material. Most of our computer-related activities have been restricted to PC-based programs using a DOS / Windows environment over a Novell network. The basic PC environment was a standard computing environment provided by Monash University, and our customisation focuses on providing menu systems, and Visual Basic custom interfaces for specific tasks.

In 1995, we trialled the concept of making course notes available on the World Wide Web (WWW) in addition to printing hard-copy handouts with the idea that the WWW version would have the most up-to-date information, and would have "value-added" hyperlinks to Internet resources relevant to each topic. However we found that our original concept of a single source document for hard-copy that would then be placed on the WWW was not the most effective use of the hypermedia environment, and students did not actually use the material when they had a hard-copy version.

In 1996, we have constructed our material specifically for the WWW, and have not provided hard copy to our students. We have used forms and scripts for data input and some level of interactivity. Our paper describes our use of the WWW platform and outlines the perceived benefits and potential pitfalls of this approach. We emphasise that our Web-based material is an integrated part of our on-campus laboratory teaching program and is an enhancement to, not a substitute for, face-to-face teaching.

Pointers to Full Paper and Conference Presentation
Full Paper	Conference Presentation	Interactive Version	Papers & posters in this theme	All papers & posters	AusWeb96 Home Page

AusWeb96 Second Australian World Wide Web Conference, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia Email: