Title: Computer-supported statistics courses in online environments: adding e-repositories to the equation

Authors: Angel A. Juan, Julia Minguillon, Maria Antonia Huertas, Teresa Sancho, Victor Cavaller

Addresses: Department of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to discuss how computer-supported statistics courses can be enhanced by incorporating learning object repositories. These e-repositories can act as a perfect methodological complement to other technologies such as learning management systems, statistical software or other general internet resources. To that end, the chapter first reviews some of the most popular learning management systems and statistical online resources available today. Then, the paper describes our experience regarding the design, development and use of learning object repositories for supporting students in an online environment. Use of these e-repositories has eventually contributed to generate academic benefits both for online students and instructors. Students have now just-in-time access to the specific statistical resources they need, while instructors are able to provide a better and more complete guidance to students at the same time they can monitor students| downloads and identify which are the most demanded learning objects related to their statistics courses.

Keywords: computer-supported education; web-based education; learning management systems; LMSs; statistics education; European higher education area; EHEA; learning objects; electronic repositories; online environments; internet; world wide web; e-repositories; online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; statistical software; online resources; academic benefits; online students; instructors; just-in-time access; JIT access; student downloads; virtual learning environments; VLEs; universities; Universitat Oberta de Catalunya; Open University of Catalonia; UOC; teaching; case studies; computing education; Spain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2011.038676

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.16 - 34

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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