The CourseInfo website, an Internet system that allows professors to created websites for their classes, has been dramatically expanded this semester. The number of class pages has more than doubled from 125 last year to 260 this semester, and professors report that the simplicity of the system enables them use of the Internet to supplement their classes.
With the larger number of pages, CourseInfo, located at crs.ase.tufts.edu has also seen a dramatic increase in hits, according to Neal Hirsig, assistant director of instructional services for Information Technology Systems (ITS) and system administrator. The site received two million hits last year, and judging by the 1.1 million visits over the first two months of this semester, that figure is likely to be eclipsed this year.
The expansion of CourseInfo is also a result of the design of program software that makes it easier for professors with little computer knowledge to create sites for their classes. Developed by a company called Blackboard, CourseInfo was designed in a way that makes it possible for professors to use the system without knowledge of HTML. Professors apply for a CourseInfo websites and are given access to a blank site upon which they can upload media.
"It's a very intuitive program," Hirsig said. "It's provided some tools that the faculty can use to easily communicate with students... the general response has been very positive."
ITS also runs a series of workshops for faculty and teaching assistants to train them on computer skills such as how to use the CourseInfo system.
CourseInfo websites serve a variety of functions. Postings by professors allow students to access lecture notes, course materials, assignments and quizzes. CourseInfo also gives professors a quick and easily way of contacting students via e-mail.
This system is popular among students, who find that it gives them fast access to both course information and Internet resources on their academic field.
"I think it's convenient... it saves a lot of annoying hassle and avoids the small inconvenience of jumbled papers," said sophomore Phil Vitorino, who uses CourseInfo to check grades, print handouts and retrieve assignment sheets.
Professors are also able to assign reading by using external links, which reduces the amount of material printed for course packets. "It saves a lot of time in class if you can refer to the website," Vitorino said.
Economics Professor George Norman said the program was "simplicity itself" and allowed him to create a website without requiring much technical knowledge. "I think it's great. It's made providing materials, references and resources so much more straightforward... I can't think of any student [in my class] who doesn't use it," he said.
One explanation for the rise in CourseInfo usage is that technological advances, both at Tufts and in the field of the communications in general, have enabled faster access to the Internet. "Any student can have access to the information 24 hours a day as long as the have a computer and Internet connection... more and more students are using the Internet," Hirsig said.
"I think it's a good tool... an excellent supplement to class. I think that it should be employed more because of its advantages," freshman Ryan McPherson said.
ITS and members of the Tufts faculty have several other plans to further incorporate the Internet into academics. The Department of Romance Languages is attempting to digitize language cassettes from the language lab and make them available on a RealAudio server through CourseInfo. The system will also be upgraded to version 5.0 next semester, which will alter the appearance of the current site.
Although CourseInfo is extremely popular, there are still some bugs in the system, such as complications regarding passwords and incorrect e-mail addresses.
"The biggest problem we have is with student access," Hirsig said.
