The group of approximately 20 faculty members met a number of times throughout the summer and fall on a number of issues regarding instructional technology, such as, copyright issues, student use of web pages, technology faculty support, etc. To augment the seminar, the Sheridan Center staff also conducted a small research project on undergraduate use of course web pages. Targeting four courses, one in each of the academic divisions, the staff surveyed over 500 undergraduate students in order to determine what elements make a course web site an integral part of a successful learning experience. From the survey results, the Sheridan Center developed some working guidelines for designing a course web site that will facilitate student learning. The site needs to be required for use.
Students have a high comfort level with computing skills.
Rising student expectations is making course web sites a must. Students use the internet for their research. They will use links provided on a course web site only if these links are explicitly tied to an assignment. Problems with course web sites amount to issues of access to computing needs and lack of instructions with regard to computing. The reading in addition to another handout provided some points of discussion.