It also allowed students to send homework, assignments and tests to a private place. Classroom experience taught me that students new to computers absolutely must use a web browser to transfer files. Although new students take to a GUI interface like a fish to water, a console interface such as FTP stops them dead in their tracks. To make things convenient we create mime types for Access, Excel, Lotus, PowerPoint, Schedule, Word and WordPerfect file types. Now, when a student clicks on a Lotus file, Netscape will automatically start up a Lotus application using the file as input.
Students take tests by using the Edit Document feature in Netscape Gold.
This method provides the added benefit of giving them some practical experience with modifying web pages. Now Ralph uses Linux exclusively to teach the class. One class period is devoted to installing Linux on the personal computers in the lab. Many students also install Linux on their home computers. The Future Casper College starts a new four-year Computer Science degree program during the Fall 1997 semester.