Interactive Learning with a Web-based Digital Library System

With support from the National Science Foundation, the Faculty of the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech has constructed a number of on-line courses in support of the undergraduate program. Almost 75% of all courses in the department have a Web presence, and a growing number regard the Web as their primary resource. Starting from the concept of a passive Digital Library, the course offerings are now moving towards a much more interactive mode of learning, utilizing on-line testing systems and collaborative learning, and incorporating elements of active learning. Starting from "local" Web-Based learning, the site is preparing for the advent of "distance education". The presentation will be a progress report on one aspect of this project and the plans for future development and dissemination. Introduction Key concepts of the 1994-1997 NSF-funded Education Infrastructure (EI) project were to improve CS education by increasing interactivity and use of a digital library. The main objectives/accomplishments were to: 1. Expand the content and software (especially interfaces initially developed with NSF support of our »Envision” digital library project, »A User-Centered Database from the Computer Science Literature” 2. Develop/apply algorithm visualization tools 3. Incorporate use of specialized digital library systems into related courses, 4. Add new courses related to human-computer interaction, multimedia, and a freshman level introduction to Networked Information, 5. Significantly change courses like »Computer Professionalism”, to make use of interactivity (e.g., asynchronous on-line debates) and digital library support (e.g., adding to a large History collection), and 6. Apply the key concepts to improve other courses. The resulting changes have far exceeded our expectations, as exemplified in the »Professionalism in Computing” course described here.