WWW to Support Classroom Teaching

Abstract

This paper evaluates the usage and perceived usefulness of the World Wide Web (WWW) to support classroom delivery of University courses. The study used qualitative and quantitative tools focusing on two undergraduate classes. Roger's (1995) theoretical model for adoption of innovation was used to identify and classify barriers to adoption of this educational innovation. An author developed survey instrument was administered to student participants and two focus group style class interviews were used to triangulate data ITom the survey instruments. Descriptive details outlining the process of developing WWW documents and navigational aids are provided. The study revealed that the WWW is perceived by students and instructors as a valued education enhancement. There were, however, significant barriers to adoption including access restrictions, questions related to relative advantage of the technology, and problems in the creation and organization of large quantities of WWW pages. Resume: Cette article evalue I'usage et I'utilite per~ue du Web comme element de support dans I' enseignement universitaire. Cette etude, visant deux classes universitaires de niveau premier cycle, utilise des outils appartenant aux methodes de recherche quantitative et qualitative. Le modele theorique de Roger (1995) sur I'adoption et I' innovation a ete utilise afm d'indentifier et de classifier les contraintes reliees Ii I' adoption de cette innovation en education. Un instrument de sondage a ete administre aux etudiants participants. Deux entrevues de groupe des classes ont ete utilise afm de trianguler les donnees provenant des sondages. Des details de nature descriptive iIIustrant Ie processus de developpement de documents sur Ie Web ainsi que des outils d'aide d'utilisation du Web sont suggeres. Cette etude revele que Ie Web est per~u comme element d'amelioration en education et cela par les etudiants et les educateurs. Toutefois, des contraints d'adoption ont ete sou levees quant aux restrictions d' acces, les avantages de la technologie et les difficultes de creation et d'organisation d'un grand nombre de pages du Web. Perceived Effectiveness ofthe World Wide Web to Supplement University Level Classroom Instruction The World Wide Web (WWW)(December& Randall, 1994) has emerged as a user mendly system for accessing information and communication resources on the Internet. This ease of use, coupled with exponential growth in the number and quality of resources to be accessed, has resulted in the large popular and professional interest in developing applications using this medium. Educators are experimenting with ways to apply the concepts and tools of the WWW to learning and teaching applications (Saltzberg & Polson, 1995). This article reviews the process of creating WWW pages for support Canadian Journal of Educational Communication, VOL25, NO.1, PAGES19 36, ISSN 0710-4340