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

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A major motivational factor in "building" or developing an On-line course is the ability to be selective in choosing the course materials which you, as the instructor, use to stimulate the learners. There is no need to "reinvent the wheel" by writing new materials when a wealth of materials is already available on the Internet from a variety of reputable sources. In the course design, it is possible to search for the best materials available, not just what happens to be present in the text book. Many primary sources of information are available from government agencies, the business community, the academic community, and special interest groups. Electronic or virtual field trips may be constructed to for various science and engineering applications.

The downside to creating hyperlinks to good information is that it may behave as "vapor ware" - the site may be taken off or moved from a server without a trace. The availability of internet sites needs to be continually checked and rechecked. Information varies in quality and accuracy since it is not peer reviewed. In addition some of the information is very biased depending upon the group posting the information.