Abstract:
A Computer Interactive Multimedia Program for Learning Enhancement (CIMPLE) was developed to enhance student learning in an introductory agronomy course (Agron 114) at Iowa State University. The program was designed to improve learning tools for off-campus students in the distance version of the course. The CIMPLE program includes learner objectives, subject matter relevance, digitized tutorial video, key concepts of material to be learned, practice learning exercises, sub-unit and chapter self-diagnostic quizzes, and problem-solving scenarios including technical and environmental/ethical problems. During fall semester 2002, CIMPLE was incorporated into the teaching, learning, and assessment processes of the introductory course for resident students. At the end of the semester course, 104 students completed a survey designed to record student use and satisfaction with CIMPLE. Students used five of CIMPLE's eight components on over half of the course's 13 chapters. In response to the statement, �CIMPLE has increased your learning of course material,� 93% of the students stated that they either strongly agreed or agreed. During fall semester 2003, CIMPLE was used to teach a distance version of the course to eight students in seven different states and one other country. All six distance students who completed the survey indicated that they liked CIMPLE, found the program easy to use and that CIMPLE helped them learn course material. The practice learning activities, self-assessment, video and practice problem-solving were the components most useful and helpful to distance students. CIMPLE was successfully incorporated into the traditional on campus course, was used to create a distance version of the course and is considered valuable tools for learning to both resident and distance students.
Keywords:
interactive multimedia, computer program, agronomic principles
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