Pacific's experience with Web-based instruction: bats in the belfry or Webs in the classroom?

There is a revolution underway in education that involves a shift from the traditional lecture style of information presentation toward a more active style of learning. Many educators now believe that students must actively participate in the learning process for information to be truly understood and retained. Coincident with this revolution, there is an increased understanding that the body of knowledge in most professions has become too large to retain in the brains of individuals. These concepts have opened the door to innovative, computer-based educational techniques.

Pacific University College of Optometry has used a variety of Web-based educational methodologies in selected classes. These have ranged from shifting classes totally to the Web, to using the Web for pre-class preparation.

Initial student acceptance of Web-based courses has been good. However, an undesirable trend has emerged--the tendency for students to print out Web-presented material rather than reading from the computer screen. Other concerns with shifting material from lecture to the Web include peer and administrator acceptance of this teaching style and issues associated with evaluation of professors who no longer give stand-up lectures.

Changes in educational theory are making their way into the Schools and Colleges of Optometry. These changes will place greater reliance on active learning, reduced student memorization, and increased use of computers as information storage and retrieval devices. This will change the fundamental way in which students are educated, and this, in turn, will change the way in which future doctors, patients, and computers interact in clinical settings.