Using online technologies to support problem based learning: Learners' responses and perceptions

Conclusion

While you read this section , please think about and comment upon:

  1. If you had not read the paper at all and only this summary, would any of the final comment surprise you, why?

 


Critique: Summary and conclusions

The summary concludes the paper neatly. They refer to the positive aspects of the changed course environment and the fact the design ensured they spent more time on learning activities as well as the learners’ perception that the problem based approach supported learning. The writers correctly pay attention to the issue of face to face versus online and the value given to the formed over the latter. The writers suggest future course need to keep teacher-student communication as an integral part of the course.

As we mention in the ‘Outcomes’ critique I think they missed an opportunity to look at how collaborative approaches have clear benefits in affective aspects of learning , but make it harder to predict the actual outcome or acquisition of knowledge. Additionally a point they made but didn’t mention in this summary is how to remedy the lack of motivation among more passive ‘performance’ (Schunk, et al., 2002) focused students.

6 comments


1 Aaron Johannes { 02.27.12 at 8:37 pm }

Hi Stephen and Angela – I think you’ve done a terrific job of breaking down this quite dense essay into manageable bits and I really like how you’ve prefaced each section with some questions to consider as one moves through it. I also really like this choice for a paper to discuss as there are elements in it that I’ve found fascinating but not had time to explore and the authors clarify some of these ideas – I thought the difference between teaching and learning and all of the manifestations of this was a good example – and then you’ve clarified it more. Nice use of a blog template too! aaron


2 Angela Lam { 02.28.12 at 12:21 am }

Thank-you for your positive comments Aaron. Our goal was to share with our peers the development of a PBL use case that promotes responsibility for their own learning. At the same time when Stephen and I were creating this student centered learning experience, it really illustrated the effectiveness of our team approach to promote learning, understanding, as well as opportunities for our peers to engage in active participation.


3 Evelyne { 02.28.12 at 11:03 am }

Hello Stephen and Angela,
I agree with Aaron, you’ve done an excellent job with bringing all the article’s information into a format which I have yet to master. I hope to have more time this week to go through your critique.
Thanks. Evelyne


4 Shirle Ternan { 02.28.12 at 1:16 pm }

Interesting question.

I believe it was important for me to read all of the areas within your site along with the summary ? it is a package.

I agree with many of your assessments of the article, and thought it provided new topics for learning (problem based learning and situated learning) for me to consider. I enjoyed the reading along with the findings within their research.

A thought: the difficulty in using a 5 point Likert scale for assessment is that it makes the assumption that attitudes can be measured (agree to disagree) or in this case, no influence to huge influence. The individual has to rank the 5-7 questions ? possibly unfairly without providing additional comment. Results can be easily accessed by the researchers, but if the intention of the course is to improve critical thinking skills within problem based learning environments, then not capturing the learner?s opinions, suggestions, or thoughts are a loss to evaluating the course. This information is valuable when trying to provide solutions to real world problems.

I enjoyed your site, the information you provided and your critique ? very well written. An interesting forum for distance learning !

Shirle


5 Shirle Ternan { 02.28.12 at 1:18 pm }

Hmmm – not sure why the software converted some of the punctuation from periods to question marks.

Hmm


6 Stephen { 02.28.12 at 9:16 pm }

I agree ,likert scales are not an appropriate research tool if you are asking for qualitative feedback. Better to link the research tool to the types of results you are looking to get. In this case a bank of questions or interview schedule would be better. Thanks for the comment. Stephen

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