Strand 1: The interactive website as a medium for teaching and learning

A case study in presenting introductory science

Abstract

The distinctive differences between html and published hard copy have been used to introduce a distinct pedagogic style, exploiting the benefits inherent within the nature of the newer medium. Such benefits include the 'unordering' of the material and the potential to 'hide' information or ideas. This paper describes one method of using interactive web sites to overcome the problems faced by introducing a science subject to new adult learners. The design of the site is discussed in terms of the learning aims and the inbuilt strategy. Also explored are areas of tension arising from this approach. Within an interactive website this results from a degree of openness within a bounded system, issues of the 'mindset' within the design, and within the latter, the use of narrative and induction to invoke deductive methods and the realisations of tacit knowledge.

The experiences of the learners, with varied geological pre-knowledge, are described  and evaluated and further possible developments are suggested.