An on-line introduction to quantitative methods

This poster/demo describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an "on-line" introduction to an undergraduate course in quantitative methods. The virtual curriculum modules developed for the course provided a forum in which information, knowledge, expertise, and questions could be explored and updated throughout the course. Working asynchronously, the user completed six assignments. Questions which arose during the user's session were passed to "experts" that provided feedback, electronically. The "question - feedback" loop was a dynamic component of the organizational structure and used different modes of communication, including e-mail, electronic conference rooms, bulletin boards, and on-line help pages. The assignments were submitted electronically to teaching assistants who evaluated the submissions and provided feedback directly to the users. The inclusion of direct feedback communication between experts and users reduced the impersonal characteristics that might arise within an asynchronous learning-environment.