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Using the World Wide Web (WWW) for educational activities

Amjad M Abuloum, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

The purpose for conducting this study was to (1) design a Web-based record-keeping tool for an undergraduate instructional technology course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and (2) implement a formative evaluation of its effectiveness. The design of the Web-based tool was addressed through providing brief descriptions for: (1) the Web server that contains the tool, (2) the Web pages that interact with the students and instructors, (3) the HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ "stacks" that store information about the instructors and their students, and (4) the AppleScript$\sp{\rm TM}$ CGIs that link the HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ "stacks" with the Web pages (through the Web server software). To investigate the effectiveness of the Web-based tool, two research questions were developed: (1) Does the Web-based tool enhance the communication between instructors and their students? and (2) Does the Web-based tool implement the basic elements of a good Web design (ease of use, reliability, viewability, attractiveness, etc.)? To answer these questions, an on-line survey was developed based on a comprehensive review of related literature. The population of the study consisted of 115 students and 2 instructors in the undergraduate instructional technology course "CURR359," available on-line at http://www.unl.edu/tcweb/Courses/359Site/359Page.html, offered by the Center for Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the Spring semester of the academic year 1998. The whole population was selected to be the sample for the study. A HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ "stack" designed by the researcher was used to store and analyze the data collected from participants. Tables and Microsoft$\sp{\circler}$ Excel charts (histograms) were used to report the results of the study. The results of the study revealed a strong agreement among students and instructors that (1) the Web-based tool enhances the communication in the classroom, and (2) the Web-based tool implements some of the basic elements of a good Web design (ease of use, reliability, viewability, attractiveness, etc.) However, there was less agreement on the system's response time and the user's sense of satisfaction when using the system.

Subject Area

Curricula|Teaching|Computer science|Educational software|Information Systems

Recommended Citation

Abuloum, Amjad M, "Using the World Wide Web (WWW) for educational activities" (1998). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9838588.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9838588

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