Using the World Wide Web (WWW) for educational activities

The purpose for conducting this study was to (1) design a Web-based record-keeping tool for an undergraduate instructional technology course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and (2) implement a formative evaluation of its effectiveness. The design of the Web-based tool was addressed through providing brief descriptions for: (1) the Web server that contains the tool, (2) the Web pages that interact with the students and instructors, (3) the HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ stacks that store information about the instructors and their students, and (4) the AppleScript$\sp{\rm TM}$ CGIs that link the HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ stacks with the Web pages (through the Web server software). To investigate the effectiveness of the Web-based tool, two research questions were developed: (1) Does the Web-based tool enhance the communication between instructors and their students? and (2) Does the Web-based tool implement the basic elements of a good Web design (ease of use, reliability, viewability, attractiveness, etc.)? To answer these questions, an on-line survey was developed based on a comprehensive review of related literature. The population of the study consisted of 115 students and 2 instructors in the undergraduate instructional technology course CURR359, available on-line at http://www.unl.edu/tcweb/Courses/359Site/359Page.html, offered by the Center for Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the Spring semester of the academic year 1998. The whole population was selected to be the sample for the study. A HyperCard$\sp{\rm TM}$ stack designed by the researcher was used to store and analyze the data collected from participants. Tables and Microsoft$\sp{\circler}$ Excel charts (histograms) were used to report the results of the study. The results of the study revealed a strong agreement among students and instructors that (1) the Web-based tool enhances the communication in the classroom, and (2) the Web-based tool implements some of the basic elements of a good Web design (ease of use, reliability, viewability, attractiveness, etc.) However, there was less agreement on the system\u27s response time and the user\u27s sense of satisfaction when using the system