Teaching Graudate Nutrition Courses on Line

Abstract

When we decided to go on line with our graduate courses we had to select the presentation platform. Additional software was used to assemble the course components and plan for more than one mode of presentation in case technical difficulties eliminated use of one mode.The platform selected was SERF(TM) by the University of Delaware. This platform allows a course author to integrate all course components into one password-protected area. Students easily access through the SERF(TM) screen all aspects of the course: syllabus, objectives, content, quizzes, evaluation forms, email, discussion forums, and grades. Microsoft Office Power Point(TM) was used for the content, which included graphics from the text. The Power Point content was available both on line and on a CD-ROM for offline use. Real Presenter(TM) plug in for Power Point converted the narrated content to streaming media for on line presentation. QuizPlease(TM) was used to present both practice and regular quizzes. Hardware used was 64mgb Pentium PC with sound card, speakers, microphone, CD-ROM read/write drive, and direct connection to campus server.The first course, NUHM 6105 Human Nutrition in Physiology and Metabolism was completed by 24 students fall 1998. Their evaluation of the course modules and overall evaluation was positive. The second course, NUHM 6200 Research in Clinical Nutrition, is being delivered to 22 students during spring semester 1999. This mode of course delivery works well to provide educational opportunities to people who work full time and live a distance from the university.The presentation will cover the pros and cons of each presentation method. Results of both student and faculty evaluation of the course will be presented.