One way to achieve greater consistency is to provide students with preparation classes in key skill areas prior to the start of their programme. Advances in VLE and eLearning technologies allow this to be done remotely via the internet. This session will present the successful implementation of WebCT based pre-study courses in accounting and mathematics at the Imperial College London Tanaka Business School.

Delivering courses via the Internet to pre-registration, campus-based students requires significant cultural change and can pose technical, procedural and administrative challenges. This is particularly true at institutions such as Imperial College which are research focused and deliver primarily campus based programmes. Challenges include how to provide students with early access to information systems, the structuring and resourcing of necessary administrative support and the provision of teaching faculty at a time traditionally reserved for research and vacation.

Decisions regarding course content, the pedagogical approach and in particular assessment also require careful consideration. Should students be required to merely complete a courses or to pass some form of summative assessment.. If such an assessment is implemented then what are the implications should a student fail?

The first half of this session will discuss the challenges encountered and the measures taken to overcome them. The presentation will detail the pedagogical approach and the eventual content development process which included contributions from internal/external developers and writers.

The second half of the session will consist of a live demonstration of the courses enabling the audience to participate and experience the content.