Exploring the use of authentic learning strategies in designing blended learning environments

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi, Yeen-Ju Tan ◽  
Mai Neo
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Modules ◽  
Web Technologies ◽  
Class Project ◽  
Learning Principles

Purpose – The aims of this study is to use authentic learning principles outlined by Herrington and Kervin (2007) as an innovative approach towards the development of a blended learning environment in a Malaysian classroom at the tertiary level and students’ perception towards this learning environment was studied. Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach and consisted of two parts. Part A: the learning environment was designed to be student-centred, supported by multimedia and web technologies, consisting of online learning modules, blogs and social media, as well as being driven by a class project. Part B: qualitative and quantitative data were collected to solicit student feedback on the learning environment. Findings – Results of the study indicated that students responded positively towards the authentic blended learning environment, as it was found to be relevant to their learning. In an authentic blended learning environment, students became more engaged with the content and actively involved in their learning process. These results show strong and encouraging support for the use of authentic learning principles in the development of blended learning environments. Originality/value – Universities in Malaysia are only beginning to move towards a more blended approach in designing learning environments. This paper provides some insights to one possible way of designing a blended learning environment in a Malaysian tertiary setting.

scholarly journals Students’ motivational factors and engagement strategies in constructivist-based blended learning environments

Afrika Focus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-34
Author(s):  
Haruni Machumu ◽  
Chang Zhu ◽  
Mustapha Almasi
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment

Student motivation to learn is an essential component for the design, development and implementation of technology-mediated learning environments. Engagement learning strategies have been devised to assist students as they learn in a constructivist-based blended learning environment (CBLE). This study investigates the relationship between students’ motivational factors and their engagement learning strategies in a CBLE in Tanzanian Universities. Specifically, the study examines a) student motivational factors to learn, b) gender differences in motivational factors, and c) relates motivational factors with students’ engagement learning strategies. The study is built on theoretical foundations of engagement learning and constructivist-based blended learning. We used a self-report student motivational factors and engagement learning strategies survey (SMFELSs) to obtain data from 1010 undergraduate students from three universities. The results indicate that students are positively motivated to learn in CBLE. Our results also reveal that there is a statistically significant correlation between motivational factors and students’ engagement learning strategies. The results, on the one hand, enhance our understanding of students’ motivational factors to learn in a CBLE, and on the other hand expand knowledge on which student engagement learning strategies should be adopted and implemented in the context of challenging learning environments. Furthermore, the results are important for instructional designers, university teachers and curriculum developers. Our study further helps to improve the design of blended learning courses, constructivist learning environment and learning activities concerning students’ motivational factors and engagement learning strategies.

Developing Creative and Critical Thinking Skills in an Authentic Learning Environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Tan Yeen-Ju ◽  
Neo Mai ◽  
Neo Tse Kian ◽  
Kwok Wai Jing ◽  
Lee Kai Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Group Project ◽  
Web Technologies ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
The Impact

The Malaysian Ministry of Education has called for a need to produce skilled graduates that are highly employable. In this study, Herrington and Kervin’s Authentic Learning principles were adapted into the design of an Authentic Learning environment that is driven by a problem-based group project.  The impact of this learning environment on engaging students’ creative and critical thinking as well as the students’ perception towards the Authentic Learning environment was studied. The learning environment was designed to center on an authentic problem-based group project and was supported by multimedia and web technologies. Results indicate that Authentic Learning principles, when adapted into a learning environment engaged the use of higher-order thinking skills, encouraged the cultivation of crucial skills, made learning an active process, and enhanced understanding. Students responded positively towards the Authentic Learning environment as learning became more relevant. The positive results of this study provide support for the development of more Authentic Learning environments to engage students’ creative and critical thinking skills, thereby answering the call of the national agenda to produce industry-ready graduates with skills that make them highly employable.

scholarly journals Students’ motivational factors and engagement strategies in constructivist- based blended learning environments

Afrika Focus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruni Machumu ◽  
Chang Zhu ◽  
Mustapha Almasi
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment ◽  
Engagement Strategies

Student motivation to learn is an essential component for the design, development and implementation of technology-mediated learning environments. Engagement learning strategies have been devised to assist students as they learn in a constructivist-based blended learning environment (CBLE). This study investigates the relationship between students’ motivational factors and their engagement learning strategies in a CBLE in Tanzanian Universities. Specifically, the study examines a) student motivational factors to learn, b) gender differences in motivational factors, and c) relates motivational factors with students’ engagement learning strategies. The study is built on theoretical foundations of engagement learning and constructivist-based blended learning. We used a self-report student motivational factors and engagement learning strategies survey (SMFELSs) to obtain data from 1010 undergraduate students from three universities. The results indicate that students are positively motivated to learn in CBLE. Our results also reveal that there is a statistically significant correlation between motivational factors and students’ engagement learning strategies. The results, on the one hand, enhance our understanding of students’ moti- vational factors to learn in a CBLE, and on the other hand expand knowledge on which student engagement learning strategies should be adopted and implemented in the context of challeng- ing learning environments. Furthermore, the results are important for instructional designers, university teachers and curriculum developers. Our study further helps to improve the design of blended learning courses, constructivist learning environment and learning activities concerning students’ motivational factors and engagement learning strategies. Key words: motivational factors, constructivist-based learning, blended learning environment, engagement strategies, learning

scholarly journals A scale development study for assessing the effectiveness of blended learning environments

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Cabı ◽  
Yasemin Gülbahar
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Scale Development ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Development Study ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Development Data

This study is conducted to develop a scale for assessing the effectiveness of blended learning environments based on the features of both face-to-face and online learning environments and provide suggestions for stakeholders. In the process of scale development, data gathered from 314 students were analyzed. The reliability and validity results for collected data were found to be acceptable since they were between or above the expected value. Based on the analysis it is found that the scale is composed of 55 items having a structure of 4 factors. Hence, it can be concluded that "Effectiveness of Blended Learning Environments Scale" is found as reliable and valid, and can measure what it aims to measure. Blended Learning Environment Scale, which was developed and analyzed for reliability and validity throughout this study, is expected to facilitate the further research studies that focused on blended learning environments.

scholarly journals Student Preferences within a Holistic Blended Learning Environment

2019 ◽  
pp. 276-290
Author(s):  
Bernice Beukes ◽  
Karin Barac ◽  
Lynette Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Student Preferences ◽  
Performance Levels ◽  
Residential University ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Method Approach

Extant research shows that blended learning environments are widely accepted by students mainly because of the flexibility it offers. However, there is very little research that focuses on students’ preferences within a holistic blended learning environment and the contribution that a component makes to the learning of the subject matter, especially in large class settings. The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ perceptions of blended learning components in a holistic blended learning environment and whether these perceptions vary for students with different academic performance levels. A mixed method approach was used in this study performed at a residential university in South Africa and the results indicate that auditing students do have a clear preference for specific components within the environment and significant differences exist between the preferences of different academic performance levels. Such insights allow lecturers to adjust the resources and focus of the different components implemented in a blended learning environment.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Students’ Preferences for Online and Blended Learning: Motivational Vs. Cognitive

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinan Keskin ◽  
Halil Yurdugül
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Task Value ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Individual

AbstractToday’s educational institutions are expected to create learning opportunities independent of time and place, to offer easily accessible learning environments and interpersonal communication opportunities. Accordingly, higher education institutions develop strategies to meet these expectations through teaching strategies, such as e-learning, blended learning, mobile learning, etc., by using teaching technologies. These new technology-based teaching strategies are mainly shaped by decision-makers in education. This study seeks to analyse the individual factors that affect learners’ mode of teaching and learning delivery preferences. In this study, blended and online learning is considered as preferences of learners’ mode of teaching and learning delivery. The individual factors discussed in this research are cognitive learning strategies, e-learning readiness, and motivation. The data were obtained from the pre-service teachers at the end of the academic semester when they experienced online and blended learning. Data were analysed using optimal scaling analysis. The analysis method provides a two-dimensional centroid graph which shows the correlations between the variable categories. According to study findings, there is a correlation between the preferences of the learning environment, and the constructs of self-efficacy, e-learning motivation, and task value. It can be said that the motivational variables are more effective in the learning environment preference. The students with high task value, e-learning motivation, and self-efficacy preferred studying in blended learning environments. Cognitive strategies, self-directed learning, learner control, and test anxiety factors are independent of the learners’ learning delivery preferences.

scholarly journals Weaving a Personal Web: Using online technologies to create customized, connected, and dynamic learning environments

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica McElvaney ◽  
Zane Berge
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Social Bookmarking ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Web Technologies ◽  
Online Technologies ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
The Relationship

This paper explores how personal web technologies (PWTs) can be used by learners and the relationship between PWTs and connectivist learning principles. Descriptions and applications of several technologies including social bookmarking tools, personal publishing platforms, and aggregators are also included. With these tools, individuals can create and manage personal learning environments (PLEs) and personal learning networks (PLNs), which have the potential to become powerful resources for academic, professional, and personal development. Résumé : Cet article explore les diverses façons dont les technologies Web personnelles peuvent être utilisées par les apprenants, ainsi que la relation entre ces technologies et les principes d’apprentissage connectivistes. Y sont également présentées les descriptions et les applications de plusieurs technologies, y compris les outils sociaux de mise en signet, les plateformes de publication personnelles et les agrégateurs. Ainsi outillées, les personnes peuvent créer et gérer des environnements d’apprentissage personnels (EAP) et des réseaux d’apprentissage personnels (RAP) qui recèlent le potentiel de devenir de puissantes ressources de perfectionnement sur les plans universitaire, professionnel et personnel.

The Integration of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Project-Based Learning in a Blended Environment

2015 ◽  
pp. 359-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kelvin Bullock
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Authentic Instruction ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Relevant Pedagogy

The use of blended learning environments is rapidly expanding in education. This chapter examines a teacher's enactment of the New Tech Network educational model, which utilizes a blended learning environment, and the teaching strategies she used to engage students and gauge student achievement. Detailed teacher interviews, classroom observations, and analyses of student assignments were the sources of data for the study. The findings centered on the integration of culturally relevant pedagogy and authentic instruction within this learning environment and the implications of this integration. Recommendations for future research include a more expansive study of the use of blended learning in social studies and different means of integrating culturally relevant pedagogy and authentic instruction into blended learning.

Towards a Model of Playful Learning

2016 ◽  
pp. 263-280
Author(s):  
Raphael Raphael
Keyword(s):  
Middle School Students ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Community Schools ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
School Students ◽  
Game Mechanics ◽  
Narrative Account

What is the role of play in learning? What ways can we as educators leverage our students' extracurricular digital lives in meaningful ways in our digital and physical learning environments? What roles can the elements of game mechanics and game thinking serve towards these ends, especially in a blended learning environment? These are some of the initial questions that guided my action research at the American Community Schools, Athens (ACS). My project considers the efficacy of employing gamification strategies within a blended learning environment. This chapter in turn provides a brief narrative account of my research experience, focusing on an entrepreneur simulation in the ACS Academy (High School), and a series of gamified interventions done with ACS middle school students. It closes with a brief gamification toolset, a series of practical considerations drawn from this field experience and relevant research that may be helpful for teachers and administrators interested in exploring ways to gamify their own digital and physical learning communities or spaces.

The Blended Learning Environment in Higher Education

2016 ◽  
pp. 180-197
Author(s):  
Ellen Boeren
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination

This chapter explores the author's experiences with blended learning, both as a tutor and as a student at a British Russell Group University. The chapter starts from the importance of encouraging an autonomy supporting learning environment, featured within self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000). In the first part of the chapter, definitions of blended learning will be briefly reviewed. Secondly, the role of the learning environment will be explained, drawing upon previous research on learning environments undertaken by Darkenwald and Valentine (1986), mentioning the importance of the learning environment within motivational theories. Thirdly, results of a critical analysis on the own teaching and learning practice will be conducted, comparing the perspective of being a tutor and being a student. Finally, recommendations for future teaching practice will be discussed, before concluding this chapter.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document