Title: Design and evaluation of a network-based course

Authors: Guang Dong

Addresses: Department of Information Engineering, Jilin Province Economic Management Cadre College, 429 Guigu Da Jie, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130012, China

Abstract: A network-based course was developed for the subject of computer network basis at a higher vocational college. This paper describes the functional design, structural design, and assessment design of the course. In terms of functional design, the course has four subsystems including the basic information subsystem, downloading subsystem, teaching video subsystem, and forum subsystem. The structural design focuses on web page design including navigational features, online tests, and interactivity design. The assessment design intends to investigate students' performance and teaching quality. A tentative evaluation was conducted on the students to examine their perceptions on the design and use of the course. Results show that the network-based course was more efficient than the conventional classroom teaching. Most students mentioned that they gained additional knowledge from the course. Some limitations of the course were also identified and would be addressed in the future.

Keywords: online systems; network-based courses; web design; course evaluation; computer networks; higher vocational colleges; functional design; structural design; assessment design; information subsystems; downloading subsystems; teaching video subsystems; forum subsystems; web page design; navigational features; online tests; interactivity design; student performance; teaching quality; student perceptions; conventional teaching; classroom teaching; additional knowledge; course limitations; Computer Network Basis; Jilin Province Economic Management Cadre College; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; internet; world wide web; online courses; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2012.047054

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2012 Vol.22 No.1/2, pp.117 - 126

Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article