Customer Reviews

Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges

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This book is a collection of articles, many of which don't cover any new ground if you've had some exposure to this field. Many of the articles are very general and really only argue for the validity of the web-based approach rather than offer any practical insights for those already involved as practitioners or support staff.
Interesting chapters (to me ) that offer a basis and inspiration for practical action include include one on Nestor, a web map building browser by Esnault & Zeiliger, France, and a chapter on audio/video streaming by Al Bentor, Univ of Baltimore.

Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges is rich in terms of its breadth of coverage. The four parts of the book, with my favorites are: (1) Web-Based Learning, including one chapter on opportunities and one on the future; (2) Web-Enhancing Technologies, including two chapters on pedagogy; (3) Web-Based Learning Environment, including a chapter on assessment; and (4) Case Studies, including one on a programming course.

The book is likely to mean something different to readers depending upon their responsibilities. For course developers, the chapters on pedagogy and case studies might be most valuable. For policymakers, the chapters on opportunities, the future, and technologies might be most valuable.

The book is rich also in terms of the varied backgrounds of the authors. The "About the Authors" section contains one-paragraph biographies of the 41 contributors to the book.

A quote representative of the insight in this book: "Navigation in electronic information spaces is the process through which learners experience the domain content."

This book is superb and a must-have for those teaching in the information technology field. In their pro-active approach to the subject, the authors present a comprehensive examination of web based education and the impact it will have on traditional learning environments. It's the leading text on this emerging field and a valuable resource!