Integrating Web-based Instruction and Classroom Teaching: Case Studies from the Caribbean

This paper describes an integrated instructional model for integrating web-based instruction and classroom teaching in educational institutions in the Caribbean. Two studies are presented: one, a 1-semester Computer Science course for students at university level and the other, a 2-year course in Information Technology designed for secondary school students across the Caribbean. In each case, webbased and classroom teaching are woven into each other seamlessly throughout the period of instruction to form an integrated instructional system. The studies show that the integrated approach facilitated more effective learning. At university level, teaching emphasis changed from delivery of content to one of facilitating and guiding the learning process. The lecturer’s knowledge of the subject area remained of critical importance to the learning outcome. Students took more responsibility for their own learning and for monitoring their own progress. Teaching methods at secondary schools in the Caribbean are largely traditional, classroom teaching. With the integrated approach to teaching, the learning environment more readily caters for all levels of children within a class, allowing the teacher to provide more individual attention to students. The web course design has to be specially tailored to the student age group and the school environment