About the Instructor  

           I got my Ph D in Engineering at UCLA in ‘67.  I first taught at the Instituto Politechnico Nacional in Mexico City.  Later, I joined the faculty at U of A in ’70.  At first, I focused on teaching and research related to Nuclear Engineering . During the energy crisis in the mid 70s, I turned  to Energy Management to conserve the earth’s valuable fuels and to Solar Energy for a more sustainable environmental  future. I directed and taught courses in the College Energy Engineering Program – which once offered a BS degree. I helped startup the campus Solar and Energy Facility was  its Director until it was shut down in 1990. When the Nuclear and Energy Engineering (NEE) Department was eliminated , I joined  AME. and continued to teach energy related courses including Solar Engineering and HVAC.

I became Emeritus when I retired in ’97. Since then, I have taught the Renewable Energy Systems (a composite of 3 former solar and wind courses) three times by the classic lecture mode and  the last two years by the web.  I am  teaching the course as a volunteer (no pay) because I believe in renewable solar as a rational energy future. I am also intrigued  by the internet and its role in education; also I like interacting with fresh minds.

The Internet and WebCT

              A major advantage of web course delivery  is that the whole spectrum of the internet is available; relevant web sites can be incorporated directly into the course. A large field of expertise and information is available from major research centers, professional and governmental agencies and universities.  The database sources are immense and often well archived. and presented.  In applied engineering, real time distributors of equipment and components add realism to course exercises. Moreover, the internet allows the student to access the instructor and course material and exercises anytime – day or night.

There are some problems with web delivery. Face to face contact between the students and the instructor is reduced.  Irresponsible individuals can cheat, plagiarize and transfer BS with ease.

WebCT is an excellent class management tool but a relatively poor web editor. I prepare the web material on my PC using other software. The positive features of WebCT contribute to instructor and  student objectives.  Student grades and progress are automatically kept and  readily accessible. Exams can be computer graded and  recorded.  Although it is virtual, student interaction is  enhanced.

My Philosophy in course presentation is to accentuate the positive features of web delivery and to minimize the web problems. The course is designed  to allow unsupervised responses on assignments and exams. I trust that  students will be honest, responsible and have a desire to learn; if irregularities show up, I am prepared to deal it.