Title: Web-based education: characteristics, problems, and some solutions

Authors: Jeong-Yong Ahn, Kyung-Soo Han, Beom-Soo Han

Addresses: Division of Mathematics and Statistical Informatics, Chonbuk National University, Chonbuk, 561-756, Korea. ' Division of Mathematics and Statistical Informatics, Chonbuk National University, Chonbuk, 561-756, Korea. ' Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Chonbuk National University, Chonbuk, 561-756, Korea

Abstract: Since the web first began, it has provided numerous significant educational opportunities and the web-based education phenomenon is has spread throughout the world. The potential of the medium to enhance students| learning experiences is being increasingly recognised and utilised, and many educational organisations are emerging and providing full-fledged curricula. However, the web has brought concerns as well as opportunities. In this article, we will address those concerns by considering the following questions: Can web-based education be effective? Can it provide the same or better quality as conventional face-to-face instruction? If not, what are the reasons and the alternatives? In the first part of this article, we examine the characteristics, advantages, and problems of web-based education. In part two, we propose solutions for designing environments that will help to achieve efficient and effective web-based education.

Keywords: web-based education; online learning; data mining; learning patterns; personalised education; learning behaviour; e-learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2005.006370

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2005 Vol.2 No.3, pp.274 - 282

Published online: 24 Feb 2005 *

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