Teaching and Learning Using Internet On-line Courses - Return to Main Menu

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General Evaluation of CHM 110 On-Line Option

The CHM 110 on-line option course was developed and implemented during the 1997-98 Academic year. During the Fall term 4 students were enrolled, Spring Term had an enrollment of 22. The on-line course has proven to be academically sound and does fill a need for some students, who must be computer literate and have a computer at home or work.

All components of the course were successfully implemented including home versions of the laboratories. The internet format of the course worked as planned, however this requires a high level of maintenance and a commitment of time for the faculty member. For future course offerings, this amount of faculty work will subside considerably, but still may be a more time commitment than a traditional course.

The work requirements and assignments are probably on the very heavy side for a 100 level general education course. There were too many assignments per week. As a result, some adjustments in the assignments will be made by condensing assessments into pre-labs. Four exams is probably more reasonable rather than six quizzes. In this way no more that one written lab or exam is to be completed for any one week. Most students reported working 6-8 or more hours, up to 20 hours per week on the course. Six of the students were not able to complete all of the assignments. The grade distribution was 13 A's, 5 B's, 3 C's, and 1 F. This is very similar to the results with the traditional in class format, using the same assignments, and take home exams.

The students reported that they felt like they actually learned more from this format than the traditional in class type of course. The main reason is that the students had a much higher level of interaction and participation in the learning process. Over and over again the general student comments are - freedom, convenience, own pace, odd and late times.

"The course was very effective...this format really forced you to read, read, and read; and the topic questions forced you to understand what you read. Very effective because I could sit in lecture and never participate and this format forces you to participate."

"I felt that being required to answer questions on-line (weekly topics) gave me time to absorb the material and learn it better than a purely in-class format."

The course enrollment should not exceed the 20-25 range because of the time required to monitor and respond to the students. The course requires more time, for both students and faculty, than a regular course. To be successful, it is necessary to respond as quickly as possible to email, FAX's, and phone messages, usually within hours, and not less than 24 hours. Assignments, exams, questions, etc. dribble in constantly, and must be graded promptly and returned. It is important to gave them complete grade reports (including missing assignments) several times during the term and one after the final exam.