Electronic Project Delivery Via Student Generated Web Sites: "Lessons Learned"

In traditional “project-based” courses (senior level design and capstone courses), the final products are typically paper-based reports and plans (CAD drawings) which include information related to the design and construction aspects of the project. On occasion, the final projects are submitted in some form of electronic format (CD, zip, etc.) [2,5]. Currently, many engineering and construction firms post project information on company or project specific web sites. In order to provide students with the “real world” experience of posting information electronically, the logical decision would be to require students to mimic the industry practices. The contents of this paper, 1.) documents the traditional and revised course delivery system for CME 430 Land Development, 2.) provides an overview of the mechanisms for evaluation and assessment, 3.) explains some of the tools and techniques that have been developed at NDSU to assist students with web page development, 4.) provides student outcome data for a 3-year period, 5.) offers an analysis of the data, and 6.) formulates some recommendations and conclusions.