Adaptation of different computerized methods of distance learning to an external PharmD degree program

The Journal Club component of Drug Information/literature Evaluation/Biostatistics, a required course in the Doctor of Pharmacy program, has been conducted online for students in the nontraditional program for three semesters. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES) Virtual Classroom(TM) was used for the first semester. Wildcat! was used for the subsequent semesters, first via dial-up modem, and then via an Internet connection. Students interacted well on both systems, with skills improving over the course of the semester. Students felt more "attached" to the College and to the class than in previous distance learning courses as a result of their computer participation.