Trendy technology or a learning tool?: Using electronic journaling on WebNotes/sup TM/ for curriculum integration in the freshman program in engineering at ASU

Abstract

Lately, technology has transformed our world, with millions of users negotiating everything from purchasing goods to accessing research. The pressure to embrace this technology has grown to the point that even in the composition classroom, instructors are exploring ways to most profitably use it. Given the growth and commercialism of the World Wide Web (WWW), it is not always easy to distinguish the hype from the useful. The authors argue that, however, one such worthwhile application is WebNotes/sup TM/ a commercial, WWW-based electronic forum software product that has become a powerful journaling tool for fostering connections, delivering information, and creating an online community in and out of the classroom.