engaging students using problem-based learning in an online learning environment
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Engaging students using problem-based learning in an online learning environment. School of Education Postgraduate topic in Gifted Education EDUC9794 [email protected]. Advantages Greater choice Flexibility – time, space Less travel Increased accessibility - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Engaging students using problem-based learning
in an online learning environment
School of Education
Postgraduate topic in Gifted Education
EDUC9794
Learner view of external mode
o Advantageso Greater choiceo Flexibility – time,
spaceo Less travelo Increased
accessibilityo Self-paced, self-
directed – autonomy
o Multimedia
o Disadvantageso Intimidating
technologyo Costs of technologyo Isolating and lonelyo More self-discipline
requiredo Prior experience &
learning preferences
Not all students like online experience – want hard copy materials, independent study & flexible timetableNot all students have good internet access, or technical skillsMany postgraduate students study on weekends – no FLO support
Designing an on-line topic
o Topic is about affective developmento Importance of social & emotional supports &
problem of isolation in distance study – establishing a community of learners via FLO
o Topic requires an understanding of diverse gifted studentso How do you care about theoretical issues unless
they have a ‘human face’ – real students
o Knowledge is important, but application of knowledge is more valuableo Authentic problem for the teacher is simulated in
the PBL case study – motivation to study
Problem-Based Learning
o Introduces a ‘real-world’ problemo No clear/single answer – ‘fuzzy’ problemo Students use existing knowledge, share
knowledge, set individual learning tasks to elaborate on knowledge
o Collaboration & communicationo Applies & develops higher order thinkingo Professional applicationo Students find PBL strongly motivating
PBL design process
o Set very clear learning objectiveso Select a problem – develop a caseo Seek advice – authentic & relevanto Develop/identify resources for
independent research (scaffolding learning)
o Determine evaluation/assessment
PBL Objectives
o Understand issues relating to the social and emotional development of diverse gifted children and the behaviours that may be associated with these issues.
o Understand the importance of developing classroom environments that are responsive to a diverse range of affective needs.
o Consider what teachers can do in collaboration to address the social and emotional needs of gifted students in the regular classroom.
o Experience the application of PBL as a strategy to engage students in collaborative problem-solving that reflects real-life learning.
How can technology support PBL?
Donnelly (2005:158)o Providing exciting curricula based on
real-world projects & problemso Providing scaffolds, tools & resources to
enhance learningo Giving both students & teachers more
opportunities for feedback & reflectiono Expanding opportunities for student
learning through collaboration & discussion
How do I use FLO to try to create a sense of community?
o Clear communication re nature of topic & aims – structure
o Personalise FLO space with photos – pleasant environment
o Encourage participation in FLO discussion – ‘Meet & Greet’ activity
o Allocate marks for participation in discussiono Provide guidelines for interaction – Code of
the Community of Inquiry (Jewell et al 2011)o Be present on FLO!
My belief…
o A problem-based learning case study provides an authentic online learning environment that helps postgraduate students self-direct and deepen their learning, and collaborate with others.
o “The incorporation of PBL strategy into an online learning environment provides the engaging, collaborative and learner-centred activities that are required to encourage a student to fully participate in the learning program” (Gooding, 2002:2)
The Future?
o Virtual reality o text-based ‘triggers’ replaced by or
supplemented with video?o Video-conferenced presentationso Live chats
o Synchronise discussions?o Blogso Others?
Resources
o Video of PBL at Flinders Uni at http://mtu.flinders.edu.au/events/pbl_adsl.cfm
o Adelaide University guide to using PBL at http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/71220/1/hdl_71220.pdf
o Handbook of Enquiry & PBL at http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-2/ o Online chapter about using technology in PBL ato http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-2/chapter16.pdf
Referenceso Brodie,L.(2005). Problem based learning in the online
environment – successfully using student diversity and e-education.
o Cheaney,J. & Ingebritsen, T. (2005). Problem based learning in an online course: A case study. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 6, No 3.
o Donnelly, R. (2005). Using technology to support project and problem-based learning. In T. Barrett; I. MacLabhrainn, & H. Fallon (Eds). Galway: CELT. http://www.nuigalway.ie/celt/pblbook/
o Gooding, K. (2002). Problem based learning online. In S. McNamara & E. Stacey (Eds.), Untangling the Web: Establishing Learning Links. Proceedings ASET Conference 2002. Melbourne, 7-10 July. http://www.aset.org.au/confs/2002/gooding.html
o Jewell, P., Henderson, L., Webster, P., Dodd, J., Paterson, S., & McLaughlin, J. (2011). Teaching ethics: Care think and choose. Melbourne, Vic: Hawker Brownlow Education.