Web-based
courses and
how they change the nature of
class
Scott Reid
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Ottawa
23 Kean Place
Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland
A1N 1C5
ScottReid@yahoo.ca
This paper presents findings related to how the nature of classes change
when Web-based courses are used rather than classrooms. The qualitative
study involved interviews with 32 university professors who have taught
Web-based courses.
An important finding which emerged is that when the
medium of teaching changes, there are also significant changes in the
composition and indeed the very nature of a class. The composition of
a given class changes in that students are likely to have more work experience and to come from groups such as those living in rural areas, older
students with work experience or those living outside the province.
These differing points of view would not normally be present in an on
campus course.
Also, the medium itself changed the dynamics of class
interactions, not only those between students and professor, but also
the interaction between students themselves. Issues such as levels of
student participation, time management are and the implications of
these changes are also examined.