Online learning - Is it meant for science courses?

The authors discuss a case study experience in conducting scientific courses such as Environmental Chemistry and Spectroscopy to different groups of undergraduates at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), using web-based learning environments to support conventional teaching/learning sessions. The authors discovered that by supplementing the learning online, students became more interested in their respective fields of study, and thus were able to participate in class discussions more freely. Online, a higher number of group activities can be organized to consolidate the learning of specific topics. The web-based learning environment also allows more interaction opportunities between peers and with the course instructor. Overall, the students reported they found that learning online made the course more interesting, and that the students were consciously aware that they learned more in the process. The paper also highlights the major benefits of conducting a course online from a course instructor's perspective. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.