Pedagogical Issues Related to Redesigning and Delivering Web-enhanced or Web-based Courses

Cecilie Goodrich and Michael Scheuermann, Drexel University, Philadelphia USA

ABSTRACT:

Redesigning face-to-face, traditional courses in higher education in order to then deliver them in either a Web-based or Web-enhanced fashion is no simple task. From the outset, educators must realize that many traditional strategies will work well in an online environment while others will not. Some educators, as well as students, will be able to navigate the transition nearly seamlessly while others will not. Many studies have shown that online learning can be as effective as its traditional predecessor. Experience has shown that traditional instruction vs. online instruction is not an argument over good vs. bad approaches -- the two are simply different. They call for varying strategies, skills, and thought processes, as well as interacting with the subject matter in different ways.

This demonstration will provide participants with a holistic view of course redesign and delivery from perspectives of both the practitioner and support professional. This will provide participants with the opportunity to listen to as well as view how the process can work, what features are available, how they can be integrated, and how support mechanisms play a crucial role. Further, attendees will learn about the successes and challenges that the presenters experienced during their transition, development, and delivery periods. Features both incorporated and available for use will be demonstrated and discussed. A definitive strategy will be shared with those in attendance to illustrate the process in a setting relevant to medical education, and suggest how attendees might consider integrating Web-enhanced features to their courses.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING YOUR PRESENTATION:

This session will concentrate on demonstrating how educators might reconfigure their traditional courses with Web-enhanced features or, later, transition from those face-to-face courses to ones which become fully Web-based. This session will include insights from both the practitioner and the faculty / technical support perspectives. Attendees will learn about successes and challenges experienced by the presenters, and their colleagues. They will also learn what some possible strategies might be, or what online learning features and capabilities might be used, in order to leverage those successes, or address those challenges. Practical, user-friendly approaches and thoughts will be shared that practitioners should find valuable and meaningful.

Michael E. Scheuermann Drexel University Korman Computing Center – 114 3141 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-895-0244 Fax Number 215-895-6777 mailto:michael.scheuermann@drexel.edu Web Site: http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~mes27/

Co-Authors' Information Cecilie Goodrich Drexel University Stratton Hall - 229 3141 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-895-2626 215-895-1273 fax cecilie.goodrich@drexel.edu