Types of courses

All courses are based on Web supported teaching modes and electronic interaction. Although you will acquire some knowledge in a uni-directional manner first (e.g. by studying a video, reading a textbook chapter), regular discussions of problems, exercises, case studies, review questions, etc. will help you to understand better and examine critically what you learned before.

Exercises are given in most courses and provided for download. As a student you solve an exercise and submit the solution electronically. The software you might need will either be commonly available (freeware), purchased by you (if inexpensive), or provided by the lecturer through client/server or Web access to his or her site.

Electronic media like discussion forum, bulletin board, chat room, voice mail, e-mail, etc. are used as communication channels.

Type 1: Video-based course

Weekly lectures recorded on video are provided in a compact and easily accessible streaming format (e.g. WMV, ASF, RealVideo). As a student you download the video, including presentation material like Powerpoint slides and online screen recordings, and watch those by means of freeware or plug-ins (e.g. Windows Media Player). For subsequent discussion of the lecture's topics, questions, answers, exercises etc., electronic media as above are used. Exercises given as homework assignment are mandatory.

Type 2: Hypermedia course

Structured course material is used as in a conventional distance education program. However, all material is provided electronically and can be viewed with a browser. Hyperlinks connect text, multimedia parts and exercises in a meaningful way. For discussion, questions and exercises, electronic media as above are employed.

Type 3: Audio-based course

This type of course is like a traditional classroom course where the lecturer uses transparencies for illustration. A sequence of slides, e.g. Powerpoint slides, synchronized with an audio track is provided in a streaming format or for download (e.g. WMA files). For listening and watching you will use freeware or plug-ins (e.g. RealPlayer, Windows Media Player). For discussion, questions, and exercises electronic media as above are employed.

Type 4: Audio and text-based course

Like in the previous type, you listen to a lecturer explaining the things illustrated on transparencies. In addition, the text of the lecture, or essential parts thereof, is/are displayed on the page along with the audio track, as an additional source of information. The lecturer may be shown in a picture.

Type 5: Web-supported textbook course

This type of course is based on a textbook which students are required to buy or download from the Internet. You read and reflect the chapters by yourself. Review questions, topics for discussion, exercises, case studies, etc. are given chapterwise on a website. The website is usually provided by the lecturer, the author, or the publisher. Answers and solutions to assignments are submitted electronically and assessed. The class meets at least once a week in a chatroom for discussion.

Type 6: Case studies, projects, seminars

Contents and modes vary in this type of course but the final outcome will be some sort of document or paper which you have to prepare and submit electronically. Appropriate topics will be chosen so that literature and other material can be found on the Internet. For discussion and questions, electronic media as above are used. (Paper presentation in class will be included later - as soon as adequate technology becomes available.)

Type 7: On-campus courses

If you would like to experience a "real" university, you are invited to spend one semester at one of the participating schools and take a "live" course there. The university will provide a PC and Internet access so that you can continue the "virtual" part of your studies as well. Traveling and living expenses will be on your own.