Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang, Malaysia

27-30 September 1999

The Interactive Paperless Virtual Class for traditional and distance students

Dr Dan Lim

Instructional Technology Center, University of Minnesota, Crookston, USA

Abstract

This paper describes the findings of students' responses to how web technologies enhance their learning in a computer graphics class taught during the Spring quarter 1999 to a group of 28 traditional (physical class settings) and 7 distance students. It will attempt to compare some differences between the two groups of students. Everything from discussion to assignments to tests is done online and paperless. A comparison between two CMS (Course Management Systems), TopClass and Toolbook Librarian in managing online tests and exams will be discussed. The paper will also describe the design of interactive self-learning modules, interactive self-assessment units, online visual graphics labs, interactive online graphics labs, and interactive online tests and exams.

The graphics and interface design class is an upper division Information Networking Management Class intended to teach students basic and advanced graphics design principles using the various software such Adobe PhotoShop 5, Illustrator 5, PaintShop Pro 5, Animation Shop, MS Publisher, Toolbook, etc. The entire course is online, interactive, and paperless. All students' assignments and works are posted at students' homepages. Students do not submit paper assignments or email attachments. Discussion is also done online. 2-4 questions are posted weekly to get students involved in discussing relevant design issues. Students' pictures appear next to their comments.

Presentation Format: 45 min paper.

University of Minnesota at Crookston is the world's first laptop university where every faculty and student is issued a high-end laptop ThinkPad. The interactive paperless course is available to students on campus and off campus anytime, anywhere. The entire campus is wired for the Web: from dorm to dining to hallway to classroom. We have become a national and international showcase for hundreds of university delegations across the nation and around the world. We have been featured in major computing websites: Microsoft, IBM, Intel, etc.

Director of Instructional Technology Center at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Specialized in interactive authoring and interactive web technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Consults with other state universities, providing training for their faculty or speaking to their faculty to promote web-based teaching and learning. Recent consultations are with Southwest State University in Minnesota and Tri-State University in Indiana.

Recent papers presented at the following national conferences:
IEEE,s Wiring the World 98 Conference, June 1998, IUSB, South Bend, Indiana;
Online Learning Euro 98, July 1998, Cheltenham, UK;
ASTD/SALT,s Interactive Multimedia 98, August 1998, Arlington, VA;
TIES 98, November 1998, Minneapolis;
MN Syllabus 99 East, January 1999, New York City, NY;
Third North American Conference On Learning Paradigm, Jan 1999, San Diego, CA;
Capitalizing on Your Computer Investments Conference 99, Feb 1999, Washington, DC;
CAL 99: Virtuality In Education, University of London, Mar 1999, London, UK;
Mid-South Educational Technology Conference 99, Mar 1999, Tennessee.