NovaNET
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOOL
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NovaNET is a national computer-based education and 
communications network created and maintained by the 
University of Illinois Computer-Based Education Research 
Laboratory (CERL). The intent of NovaNET is to facilitate 
individual learning by providing students and instructors 
access to a large library of lessonware and learning 
resources. NovaNET lessons can be incorporated into existing 
courseware and range from basic skill level to graduate 
level. In addition, NovaNET offers tools for authoring new 
courseware and creating computerized tests.

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF TOOL
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NovaNET consists of five major components: 
1) a large mainframe computer,
2) library of more than 10,000 lessons in more than 15 
subject areas, 
3) a national telecommunications network,
4) a management system that tracks student progress and 
mastery, and
5) a general purpose testing system designed to be used for 
a wide range of applications such as short, teacher-prepared 
tests, certification tests, individualized examinations, 
etc.

WHO WOULD USE THIS TOOL?
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Faculty and students use NovaNET to augment and reinforce 
classroom leaming.

HOW DOES THE TOOL SUPPORT EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING?
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NovaNET facilitates individual learning by tailoring 
instruction to meet the needs and ability levels of the 
individual. Students using NovaNET spend less time achieving 
a level of mastery. NovaNET's management system transfers a 
significant administrative burden from the instructor to the 
system, which frees the instructor to work individually with 
a greater number of learners. In addition, NovaNET offers a 
high degree of student and instructor scheduling 
flexibility. An instructor can assign a learner to a 
curriculum or to a specific set of lessons. Learners 
progress through lessons: a) at a time and a place that is 
convenient for the instructor and the individual learner, b) 
at a rate which the learner feels comfortable with, and c) 
at a rate that is determined by the learner's mastery of the 
material. There is no requirement that learners keep pace 
with a group.

CONTACT PERSON
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Yvonne Zeka, GWCC         392-5150