Web-Based Instruction Overview Nada Dabbagh George Mason University

Characteristics of the WWW “Network of networks” Vast, ever-increasing resources Ability to reach widely dispersed and diverse people Uniformity of address and scripting language (HTTP, HTML) Power of cross-platform capabilities Ease of use through a common user interface based on the concept of hypermedia

Overall Use of the WWW Information resource/Information access Research & data collection (online databases, surveys, etc.) Communication through the use of complementary Internet capabilities such as: – , listservs, newsgroups, IRC, etc. Viewing information in multimedia format Shopping Increased focus on instructional applications

Basic Types of Web Pages Informational News Personal Business/Marketing Advocacy Instructional?

Current Instructional Use of the WWW Only beginning to be utilized for instruction –Some use in higher education and public education –Very limited use in corporate training Overall highest use for communication & collaboration Also used for research and data gathering Downloading/Uploading material for instructional use

Potential Instructional Use of the World Wide Web Could revolutionize instructional delivery Ability to reach widely dispersed and diverse learners Ability to teach at different times for different learners Students can download instruction for later use Increased multimedia potential (e.g. virtual reality, MOOs and MUDs) – Increased involvement by instructor and learner

Instructional Framework Level 1- Information delivery –Simple delivery of information to students –Syllabus, class notes, assignments, etc. –Allows for material delivery locally or at a distance –All Web courses implemented at this level Example: –

Instructional Framework Level 2 - Information delivery with pre-defined resources –Provision of pre-defined links for students to explore –Outside resources related to current topic –Range of activities Simple exploration of outside sites Required instructional activities at specified sites Example: –

Instructional Framework Level 3 - Information delivery with on-line interaction –Involves computer mediated communication –Primarily text-based interaction; –On-line interaction between students and instructor; –Asynchronous communication: Use of , listservs and newsgroups; –Synchronous communication: Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

Level 3 - Information delivery with on-line interaction Examples: –Grief in a Family Context –Cultures of the Book –Strategic Management

Instructional Framework Level 4 - Pre-designed instructional delivery –Self-contained instructional modules available on WWW; –Web-based course management tools; –Available for individual access or downloading; –Use of authoring systems with WWW; –Increased speed of WWW for information delivery.

Level 4 - Pre-designed instructional delivery Examples: –Colores –Psychology Tutorial

Instructional Framework Level 5 - Information Synthesis and Creation of Resources –Student synthesis and creation of WWW resources –Instructor provides some instruction on HTML tools –Student creation options: Individual representation of course information Location of external course-related resources. Examples: – –

Instructional Framework Level 6 - Immersive Collaborative Environments: – Text-based and visual instructional environments; – Accesible simultaneously by multiple users; – Expands the level of potential interaction; – Allows for manipulation of instructional variables; – Simulations on the web; – Virtual reality. Example: –

Conclusion “This instructional framework is only a guide to designing and understanding the instructional processes utilized within instruction delivered via the “It is the instructional design methods and strategies that ultimately determine a specific site’s effectiveness in producing effective learning.”