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Discovering Meanings |
Implementing Web Based Instruction
Web Based Instruction (WBI) can be defined as using the World Wide Web as
the medium to deliver course material, administer tutorials and quizzes or
communicate with students. This also encompasses using the web for communication
in the process of teaching a class. Other terms in use include Internet Based
Training (IBT) and Web Based Training (WBT).
A model for how these tools work has slowly emerged. There are two ways to
develop content. The first is by using third party editors to create HTML and
anything else that a browser can handle (JavaScript, Java, Plugins, and helper
applications). Alternatively, some programs have a desktop component on which
content can be developed by "dragging and dropping" ready-made
components. Once development is complete the "export" function is
used to automatically convert the content into HTML and Java.
Once content exists, the software is installed on a web server. The "administrator"
then sets up a course "account". Several courses can be set up on
each installation of a program. The instructor then uploads the course content
using an FTP (file transfer protocol) program or a "file management"
facility provided by the software. Once the software "knows" about
the course content, a table of contents, a glossary and an index can be
generated
Students are "registered" in the course by the instructor and can
then log onto the course homepage, provide a username and password and get
access to course material. They can also use the email, newsgroup or "live"
chat functions to communicate with the other students, the instructor, and
markers for the course. Typically, these communication functions are all
available through the web page and are part of the software package. Students
can also take on-line tutorials (with immediate feedback) as well as timed
quizzes that are marked on-line.
Once the course is up, the instructor can update course material or class
announcements as needed. She can also make up tests and tutorials and
administer them through the web. The software provides the capability to track
the progress of students. Reports on which pages a particular student has
accessed as well as the number of times an individual page has been hit by all
students are available
The following process is a compilation of the possibilities available with
current tools. No single product by itself contains all the features presented.
Option 1
Instructor (or content writer) creates Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)
using his/her favourite third party HTML editor. There are now several editors
that offer WYSIWYG or close.
If content writer has the expertise, simulations or demonstrations can be
constructed using Java or JavaScript (Web programming languages). Course
content can make use of plugins or helper applications just like any other web
page.
Option 2
The content writer can use a specialized development environment that does
not require knowledge of HTML. Typically this is implemented using text boxes,
dragging and dropping, wizards, and menu options. Once completed, the content
is then exported out as HTML and Java.
The administrator sets up a course "template" in accordance with
a professor's request.
The professor would then log onto the course on the server and:
The course content can now be uploaded from the desktop machine where it was
created to the course "account" on the server.
Some programs provide a file manager or an embedded FTP (file transfer
protocol) program. Otherwise, the process will involve using a third party FTP
program as well as some knowledge of the file structure and file manipulation
commands on the server.
The course instructor can then create a glossary and an index of the course
material using the course administration software
The course is now available over the internet to all the active registered
students in the system. Since access to the courses is through the internet,
the student can use any type of desktop computer and operating system (platform
independence). The student can access the course from anywhere in the world
where an internet connection is available (geographic independence).
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Recent years have seen a dramatic
increase in the level of interest and activity in WBI. Instructors are putting up content at an increasing rate. Software writers are
responding by creating software that facilitates the creation process and
provides student management features. A number of these tools have evolved from
Computer Based Training (CBT) software which are being "retrofitted"
to work on the web. Others are brand new programs written from scratch to fill
this role. While there are commercial products available, a large number of the
current crop of programs were developed at Universities by instructors who were
not able to find suitable "off-the-shelf" software. Most of the
software, commercial and "home- grown" are still in the developmental
or "beta" stage.
Customize the student interface (usually menu driven)
