An Interactive Practical at the Interface of Web-based and Conventional Publishing

Abstract

In recent years, the World Wide Web has provided new opportunities for innovation in teaching. Web-based approaches allow students to gather information from different corners of the globe, literally at the click of a mouse button. This process attracts mounting interest when different web pages offer added extras, such as animations, or tools with which to commune with data interactively. A great advantage of learning on the web is that, depending on the design of the teaching material, students may be guided as much, or as little, as a particular course demands. Thus material may be used simply to supplement lecture courses, or may be completely selfcontained. In either scenario, armed only with a URL, study may continue away from formal classes. Students may thus explore independently, in a self-paced setting, and compare notes when once again back in the laboratory.