Discussion of Resources and Attributes of the Web for the Creation of Meaningful Learning Environments

Web-based instruction (WBI) is a hypermedia-based instructional program that utilizes the attributes and resources of the World Wide Web to create a meaningful learning environment where learning is fostered and supported. A WBI learning environment should include many resources, support collaboration, implement Web-based activities as part of the learning framework, and support both novices and experts. WBI design requires careful consideration of the Web's potential in relation to instructional design principles. In this article, A WBI program is discussed in terms of various components and features that can be conducive to learning environments. Components are integral parts of a WBI system. Features are characteristics of a WBI program contributed by those components. Components, individually and jointly, can contribute to one or more features. For example, E-mail (component) in a WBI program can provide asynchronous communication (feature) to students and the instructor. Likewise E-mail, listservs, n...