Course websites now include such things as the course syllabus, PowerPoint slides, study guides, discussion questions, links to online content sources announcements, reminders of due dates, and opportunities for online discussion via e-mail and discussion boards. Most faculty put materials online to help students learn the content and do well in the course. Online materials also give students the freedom and responsibility to exercise more control over their learning. The materials are there when they want and can be used as the student wishes. It may seem obvious that students who access and use these course materials will perform better in the course, but evidence needs to support all the assumptions we make about student learning. And in this case the study referenced below provides some of that evidence.
