TEACHING COURSES FOR AN ENGINEERING STUDENT ABROAD IN IRAQ

摘要

A student soldier assigned to go overseas was able to continue his education while abroad by taking key courses in an engineering program online. Using a course management system (CMS) software package and the internet, the courses were taught online in parallel with the normal semester courses. Generally, students take a leave of absence from the university when deployed with the military. This time away from study (called a "stopout") lengthens the time required to complete a degree program. However, sometimes it will actually preclude the completion of the program. Offering these distance learning courses was an effort to avoid that outcome. The tools included in the CMS allowed for the exchange of information and assignments in support of guided self-study. The faculty were able to control the student access to the information to maintain course integrity. The result has generally been satisfactory, however possible improvements are discussed.