Webteach: Interactive Web-based Teaching

Despite the economic incentive to employ a resource-based approach in flexible delivery, a 'deeper' approach to student learning can be facilitated by involving students in intense communication on their conceptions of the subject matter. However, standard Internet communication packages offer only basic levels of interaction which are inadequate for educational purposes. The authors have developed a pilot program, called WebTeach, which implements online asynchronous correlates of several educational modes of communication, including discussion, brainstorming, questioning, and task setting. To the best of our knowledge this approach is unique. The system is easy to use and, because it employs familiar strategies, it makes the transition to the online environment easy for both teachers and students. The WebTeach system will be demonstrated and its use in a range of disciplines at UNSW discussed. WebTeach: interactive web-based teaching Hughes & Hewson