Development of a student centered introductory computer course for delivery over the World Wide Web

This paper describes the development of an engineering technology orientation course that is taught in a learner independent mode using the world-wide-web. The one-credit two-hour course is taught every fall semester to all of the entering Associate Degree students in the Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at The Pennsylvania State University Altoona Campus. The course includes graphical user interfaces (Apple and Microsoft), word-processing, spreadsheets, data bases, team problem solving, report preparation, and some support topics. Previously, the course was taught in a large lecture hall with a computer projection system at the instructor's station. Adoption of a different delivery mode was necessary because of the large class size (65 students) and the wide variation in computer experience and application program skills of the students. The new web based course is "student centered" and permits the instructor to effectively manage large class sizes with a wide range of student entry-level computer skills.