Abstract

Surveys indicated that college students residing in a non-coastal region of the U.S., especially non-science majors, were unaware of issues regarding exploitation and conservation of ocean resources. A general education (non-majors) writing-intensive course was designed to provide an overview of major issues concerning ocean resource use and protection at a national and international level. This course, Ocean Resources: Use and Protection, was developed in an Interactive Compact-Disc (Interactive CD) format to increase its availability to non-traditional and distance-learning students. Recorded lectures (including transcripts), outlines, images, web-links, and assignments are included on the CD, which is purchased by students enrolled in the course. Communication with the course instructor and submission of assignments is managed through the Internet. Grades and student surveys were compared for the course taught using the Interactive CD and traditional classroom formats. There were no substantial differences in learning, issue awareness, and student evaluations following instruction of the course in either format

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