Paul Johnson and Hugh Jack, Padnos School of Engineering, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI

Student Research on the Web

Student Created Web Materials

Faculty Created Web Materials

Conclusion

Students create pages of engineering resource materials

Their results are available to others on the Internet

Students can search for resources that were not accessible before

University web sites often provide extensive resources and links appropriate to class work

Commercial search engines provide resources for engineering searches of technical data

The World Wide Web Virtual Library provides access to engineering information at sites throughout the world

Much of the most complete engineering information requires a paid subscription for access

Students create their own home pages

There is a high level of ownership

They create content using HTML and proprietary packages

When using application files the content remains “live”

Faculty add structured resources that help guide the students’ learning experience

Class homepages provide easy access to course information and resources

Resource lists can be provided for students to go beyond the material in their textbook and as starting points for class assignments

The course content becomes more accessible

We can add pictures and other items that are hard to add with traditional printed media

A laboratory can become a much more accessible resource

The student can explore in ways not previously possible

The Web provides new access to information

But the access does not necessarily increase quality

If we are aware of what is available and possible

Johnson, P., Jack, H., “Impact Of The WWW on Engineering Education”, Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society, South Bend, IN, June, 1998.