The first assignment is to subscribe to the class ListServer, Milkyway. Through Milkyway, students have access to weekly lecture summaries, review questions for exams, and copies of previous exams. Using email, students may pose questions, provide comments, or exchange opinions using Milkyway, or they may e-mail the instructor directly. Studies indicate that using electronic mail is much less intimidating to a student than asking a question in a class of 200 students. Monitoring e-mail for questions from students has not been a problem.
Most questions receive responses within a few hours.
Student response has been favorable using electronic mail since instructor office hours are not convenient for all students, especially to commuting or working students. Through required assignments, students receive an introduction to accessing information on the World Wide Web using Netscape. Astronomy has great resources available on the Internet which can be used to greatly supplement and reinforce introductory material. Assignments are structured so that students will gain the techniques necessary to access information using electronic media. It is hoped that students will apply what they learn in astronomy class to their own fields and as life long learners.