Chapter 11: Teaching Undergraduate Science Online

The chapter outlines definitions, benefits, and barriers of learning science online. Typical benefits of the use of the Internet in undergraduate science classes include increased student participation in critical, reflective course dialogue and “round the clock” and “round the globe” availability of courses and assistance from Web sites and course instructors. In the research, a model for evaluating levels of reflectivity in discourse was outlined as a method of quality assurance in online courses. Emergent recommendations for developing effective online courses are included.