© Copyright 2000 by Anne Marchant. The right to make additional exact copies, including this notice, for personal and classroom use, is hereby granted. All other forms of distribution and copying require permission of the author.

Is Technology the Answer? And What About "Distance Education?"

In the Spring semester, 2000, I experimented with the delivery of CS 103 (cross-listed as INFT 103), an Introduction to Computing. CS 103 is a course for beginners that introduces Office applications, basic web pages and HTML, as well as fundamental computer concepts. We generally offer 3 sections of approximately 150 students each. There are 50-60 students in each "lab" section in which students practice new skills with hands-on exercises.

With the excellent support provided by the campus television station, GMU TV and George Mason University's Instructional Resource Center, I was able to give students a choice between attending regular lectures, watching the lectures on TV or on videotape, and/or taking advantage of PowerPoint notes and practice tests via WebCT. GMU TV taped my lectures and gave me very constructive feedback on presentation. The lectures ran at varying times throughout the week and "reruns" appeared during the week prior to exams. A workshop given by George Mason University's IRC introduced me to WebCT, a powerful course delivery tool.

With WebCT, I could provide students with links to online course materials, lecture slides, lab exercises, and asynchronous "chat" where students could post questions by topic. In addition, students could take practice tests to assess their progress. This helps students identify weaknesses in their preparation and contributes to the alleviation of test anxiety.

Obstacles

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