Title: Web Based vs. Web Supported Learning Environment - A Distinction of Course Organizing or Learning Style?
Abstract:This paper describes an online course “Construction Engineering and Project Calculations”, conducted by 0stfold University College of Norway in 2002. The course was targeted to the college’s engineeri...This paper describes an online course “Construction Engineering and Project Calculations”, conducted by 0stfold University College of Norway in 2002. The course was targeted to the college’s engineering students, mainly on campus, with a possibility for off-campus course participants. It was intended to introduce online courseware (LearningSpace) as a learning tool for the course, and the students were encouraged to use LearningSpace as their basic learning tool. The course analysis indicated, however, their use of this courseware, only limited as a supportive tool, but not as a basic learning tool. The course observation also shows a factor that even for student online activities, the majority of online activities were concentrated on campus, within normal working days. Their main online activities are also categorized for assignments (duty based) with very little discussions (voluntary based). As a result, the course instructor had to conduct face-to-face lectures fully as an ordinary teaching plan. The course conducting was rather defined as a web supported, not a web based learning environment.Read More