Teaching Information Systems 1 online: The Trials and Tribulations

摘要

This paper presents data from, an action research study into the design and implementation issues involved in creating a successful online learning environment. The Department of Computer Studies at Technikon Natal, Durban, South Africa aims to design and implement an effective online learning environment for a large group of first year learners with diverse backgrounds. During cycle 1 of this project, first year Information Technology learners had access to a virtual classroom that was designed using FrontPage 2000. One of the major problems encountered was that the instructor was unable to keep track of the progress and activity of individual learners within the virtual classroom. During cycle 2 of the project, the virtual classroom is implemented using the management courseware tool WebCT, which provides the instructor with tools that make it easier to track learner performance. The paper concludes with a discussion of learner performance and feedback obtained during cycle 1 and cycle 2 in the hope of establishing an effective online environment for teaching Information Systems 1 to a large group of diverse first year learners.