Evaluating Web-based tutorials and laboratory procedures in engineering education: issues and strategies

Due to the rapid growth in the use of computers in education and the introduction of the World Wide Web (WWW), a large number of Web-based, interactive and intelligent educational software have been developed and implemented in engineering education. However, very few of them are tested for their learning performance and for the desired learning goals. The evaluation of Web-based tutorials and laboratory procedures in engineering and technology courses is very much essential and useful for the enhancement of learning processes. Assessing the developed project for learning outcomes is an important aspect of project evaluation. However, there are several issues to be addressed and considered in the case of evaluating a Web-based learning system, which is of tremendous interest among educators and developers. The paper briefly describes the advantages and concerns that are associated with the evaluation of a Web-based learning system. It also proposes essential strategies that can be applied in the assessment process of Web-based tutorials and laboratory procedures in engineering subjects.