Supplemental Web Sites: An Innovative Use of Information Technology for Instructional Delivery

Abstract

The population of today’s learners can be described as being more than 25 years old, with a job and/or family responsibilities. The vast student body requires a flexible program that can accommodate job-related travel, need for a more mobile learning environment and a learning method which may be more entertaining and interactive than the traditional “stand and lecture” method. In the process of innovating with technology in the college curriculum, business schools are confronted with the issue of achieving a balance between the issues of “richness” and “reach.” While members of the faculty see an opportunity to enrich education, administrators see an opportunity to realize economies of scale. Results from this empirical study show that students perceive a face-to-face course supported by a web site to be useful in enhancing their academic performance. Almost all the students made use of the classroom lectures and web site resources and did not feel the need to stay away from lectures.