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........ "Using the Web" Activities     Part 14: Distance Learning, Adult Literacy and Continuing Education Using the Web: Exploring and Assessing Online Courses Overview Online courses offer a unique learning environment. Instructors need to carefully evaluate how they deliver content and how they provide feedback to students in a classroom without walls. In the following activity, you will have an opportunity to critically review and evaluate online courses as viewed through the eyes of a prospective student and fellow teacher. Decide on a subject of interest to you and locate three courses on that topic by selecting from the following sites: California Virtual University http://www.california.edu/ World Lecture Hall http://www.utexas.edu/world/lecture/  Explore each course web site from two perspectives: As a student: Is the Web site design inviting? Is the content presented adequately and credibly? Is the Web site easy to navigate? Are course resources and materials readily accessible? Are tools available for communication with classmates and course instructors? Are there any unique features that are particularly useful in presenting this subject matter? As an instructor: Is the content well-structured to fit the online format? Are course resources and materials clearly accessible to students? Are tools available for discussion and instructor feedback? Are group projects or collaborative learning opportunities available? Are innovative web tools or resources utilized?   Based on your evaluations, identify the course in which you would enroll. Why would you choose this course? Identify the ways in which your selected course would meet your needs as both a student and an instructor.     Copyright © 2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.