One of the easiest ways to introduce an online learning component to your course is to encourage the use of the Internet for research by students.  The way to do this depends on the skills that the students already have, the skills that they need to learn, and the amount of time available for the activity.

List of web sites provided by the teacher:

This works well for students who are not used to researching on the net, if students have less time to spend surfing the net or if very specific sites on the net must be used. This list can be provided as a hard copy (where students would need to access the Internet and type in the web site) or on a web site where the links can be easily clicked to access the sites.

If the list is long, it is helpful if the teacher provides a brief description of what the student will find at each site.

The list of further readings for each topic on this web site is an example of this type of activity.

Students search the Internet for relevant information:

Researching the net is time-consuming for students and requires the students to use Internet research skills which may need to be taught.  However, this approach encourages the students to be more independent, and to develop and improve Internet research skills that will be essential for higher learning.

Internet research skills needed:

Example Exercises:

Write a 500-word paper on the dangers of the Internet using at least three different Internet sources.

Find an example of a web site that is well-designed and one that is poorly designed.  Discuss why you selected these sites.

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