Penn State's School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is only two years old but already is one of the largest IST schools in the country.

A main source of the school's popularity is its incorporation of technological advances in the classroom, such as Web-based courses.

Penn State's IST is working in collaboration with Penn State World Campus to offer students a Web-based version of the course IST 110, Introduction to Information Sciences and Technology.

"The Web-based class eliminates problems with over-crowded classrooms, and it is convenient," said Charles DuBois, IST marketing manager.

Throughout a semester, students in traditional courses attend class 45 times. Students taking the IST 110 class, however, meet in the classroom just 10 times in the semester.

"We are proud of how we have put the program together," DuBois said.

The first section of the class was introduced last fall. Presently, six sections are taught at commonwealth campuses, said Cole Camplese, IST director of education and training solutions.

Students in the class work in groups and post responses to the professor on the computer. Attendees use the student road map to print out resource information.

Jason Warner (freshman-information sciences and technology) took IST 110 last semester. He said that the class made him strive to improve conversation on the computer through daily e-mails and instant messaging to group members.

"One of the main things we are taught is to be leaders," Warner said. Weighing out responsibility of the group and getting things done on time is part of the learning process in becoming a leader, he added.

The Web-based course also offers lower costs compared to traditional courses. A student might spend about $5 as opposed to $80 for a textbook that they have to carry around, Camplese said. Factors like cost and convenience tend to make the students excited about the class, he added.

"I am blown away with the students," Camplese said. "The level of motivation is amazing. I wouldn't want to teach the class any other way."

The class has been positive in both the instructor and the student's point of view.

"If the opportunity were available, I would definitely take another Web-based class again," Warner said.