Using Web-Based Technology to Support and Enhance the Learning Experience in a Community-Learning Projects Course

Abstract

Project-based courses present students with unique support and organizational challenges. In these types of courses, students must assume greater responsibility for learning and organizing and must direct their efforts toward satisfying a unique, sometimes ill-structured problem. The enhanced learning potential in these courses is significant; however, so are the risks. Discussed in this chapter are a variety of Web-based technologies that were used to support students in their project development efforts, thereby realizing benefits of project-based courses while ensuring project success. A demonstration of how students in a project-based capstone course used this technology to assist them in developing community-based information systems is presented. More importantly, it also demonstrates how the tools, selected because they contributed to project success, can extend the students’ learning environment and enhance their learning experience.