scholarly journals Measuring the Importance of Collaborative Learning for the Effectiveness of ALN: A Multi-Measure, Multi-Method Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Starr Roxanne Hiltz ◽  
Nancy Coppola ◽  
Naomi Rotter ◽  
Murray Turoff ◽  
Raquel Benbunan-Fich

Are there any differences in outcomes between traditional classroom-based university courses and courses delivered via ALN, which feature extensive on-line interaction among students? Under what conditions are ALN courses most effective? What can be done to improve the publishability of ALN evaluations, and counter the attacks of critics?After providing background on the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Virtual Classroom (VC) projects, this paper describes three studies that address the issue of the importance of collaborative learning strategies to the success of ALN for students. A three-year longitudinal field study of 26 courses that are part of an undergraduate degree in Information Systems compared the process and outcomes of learning using an on-line anytime/anywhere environment to those for comparison sections taught in the traditional classroom. An embedded field experiment looked at the separate and joint effects of working on-line versus in the classroom and of working individually versus in groups. Semi-structured interviews with experienced ALN faculty probed their pedagogy and their perceptions of whether or not students learned, on the average, more, less, or about the same as in their traditional sections. The results support the premise that when students are actively involved in collaborative (group) learning on-line, the outcomes can be as good as or better than those for traditional classes, but when individuals are simply receiving posted material and sending back individual work, the results are poorer than in traditionalclassrooms.

Author(s):  
Jeffrey Beaudry ◽  
Polly Wilson

From the authors observations and those of Kinchin (2001) teachers may know about concept mapping but they do not seem to use it as a consistent, effective strategy. The authors argue that the concept mapping may be better understood by using an expanded definition of traditional literacy, listening, speaking, reading and writing; to include visualizing, visual representation, and technological literacy Sinatra (1986). This ethnographic case study examines the use of concept mapping and collaborative learning strategies in the content area of marine ecology in high school science classrooms. To support students’ understanding of science concept and the improvement of writing students began with a field trip to study inter-coastal zones and follow-up laboratory activities, use of digital image analysis, and collaborative group work. Key vocabulary were identified to begin concept maps, and more vocabulary was added to support multiple revisions of concept maps with concept map software, and culminated with students’ writing. Concept mapping integrated with collaborative learning was used to engage students to construct and re-construct their understanding of a complex scientific concept, the energy cycle. The results showed that students benefited from the combination of collaborative learning and concept maps to focus their writing on key ideas, to organize their ideas, and include specific details. However, the interpretation and integration of quantitative data and laboratory results was not as consistent. Most importantly, initial concept maps and revisions provided the teacher with evidence of student learning in the form of formative assessment products, to guide teachers’ focused feedback and clarify specific ideas for re-teaching, as well as students’ self-assessment. The authors provide examples of concept maps and graphic organizers as formative assessment of students’ knowledge, what Novak (1998) calls heuristic or “facilitative tools,” and as visual representations and structures to provide flexible ways supporting learners’ meaningful learning through speaking, writing and in visual forms (Sinatra, 2000; Mintzes, Wandersee, and Novak, 2004).


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Starr Roxanne Hiltz

New Jersey Institute of Technology has been delivering college courses via an Asynchronous Learning Network (ALN) system called the Virtual ClassroomTM for a decade, using various media mixes. Currently, two complete undergraduate degree programs are available via a mix of video plus Virtual Classroom, the B.A. in Information Systems and the B.S. in Computer Science. This paper presents preliminary findings about impacts on students, and touches on some issues and potential impacts for faculty, individual universities, and the structure of higher education. Overall ratings of courses by students who complete ALN based courses are equal or superior to those for traditional courses. Dropout or Incomplete outcomes are somewhat more prevalent, while grade distributions for those who complete tend to be similar to those for traditional courses. For both students and faculty, more startup time devoted to solving the "logistics" of ALN delivery seems to be required at the beginning of courses. ALN delivery is not just a "different" way of doing the same thing, however; it is likely to change the nature and structure of higher education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunilla Hultén ◽  
Malin Picha Edwardsson

Abstract This article examines Storylab, a collaborative learning project between the journalism programme at Stockholm University and the engineering programme in media technology at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, designed to combine journalistic storytelling with pervasive media technology. The aim of the study is to identify and reflect on the challenges associated with the approach. The methods used are a survey and semi-structured interviews with the students. The analyses draw on research concerning the current main challenges for the news industry and journalism educators. The results show that Storylab was highly appreciated, and provided students with useful skills for their professional lives. However, not all groups worked well together, and some students wished that the collaboration had been more extensive. Differences in motivations and priorities were mentioned as restraining factors. Therefore, it is argued that for a sustainable media landscape, journalists and engineers must collaborate, and that this cooperation can be brought about during professional training.


Author(s):  
Isabel Álvarez

El propósito de este artículo es fortalecer la colaboración entre dos instituciones que buscan integrar e-learning en sus prácticas más cotidianas y en contextos donde antes no habían tenido experiencia previa. El objetivo principal es acercar a los estudiantes universitarios, en este caso a los usuarios del Banco del Tiempo (BdT) del Ayuntamiento de Terrassa, Barcelona, a las prácticas reales para que obtengan un aprendizaje más significativo,. La experiencia relata el proceso de coordinación, diseño, gestión y valoración desde el punto de vista del aprendizaje en la formación inicial de los estudiantes de grado.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Gmeiner

This project aims to provide students with disabilities the same in class learning experience through virtual reality technology, 360-degree video capture, and the use of Arduino units. These technologies will be combined to facilitate communication between teachers in physical classrooms with students in virtual classrooms. The goal is to provide a person who is affected by a disability (which makes it hard to be in a traditional classroom) the same benefits of a safe and interactive learning environment.


2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Q. Huang ◽  
B. Shen ◽  
K. L. Mak

TELD stands for “Teaching by Examples and Learning by Doing.” It is an on-line courseware engine over the World Wide Web. There are four folds of meanings in TELD. First, TELD represents a teaching and learning method that unifies a number of contemporary methods such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in medical education, Project-Based Learning (PBL) in engineering education, and Case Method (CM) in business education. Second, TELD serves as a Web server for hosting teaching and learning materials especially based on the TELD method. A variety of on-line facilities are provided for editing and uploading course materials such as syllabus, schedule, curriculum, examples of case study, exercises of mini-project, formative and summative assessments, etc. Third, TELD is a courseware search engine where educators are able to register their course materials and search for materials suitable for a particular course. In contrast with general-purpose search engines, TELD is set up for the special purpose of education. Therefore, the time and efforts spent on surfing are expected to be reduced dramatically. Finally, TELD is an on-line virtual classroom for electronic delivery of electronic curriculum materials. In addition to providing the lecture notes, TELD not only provides discussion questions for conducting in-class discussions and homework as formative assessment but also provides facilities for students to plan and submit their group work. This article presents an overview of the TELD courseware engine together with its background and underlying philosophy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942199691
Author(s):  
Gabriela DeVries ◽  
Megan Rudolph ◽  
Howard David Reines ◽  
Philip E. Zapanta

Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has guidelines on assessing surgical qualifications based on experience. Attending surgeons have various assumptions on how their trainees learn and acquire surgical skills. This study primarily investigates the resident’s perspective on gaining experience and achieving competency in thyroid surgical procedures. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was designed to derive themes that discuss the acquisition of competency in thyroid surgery. After IRB approval, data was collected from 2012 to 2014 at 4 academic centers in the Washington, DC area. Fourteen chief residents specializing in either general surgery or otolaryngology were interviewed until saturation was achieved. These semi-structured interviews were transcribed and broken up into codes utilizing Moustakas’ analysis. A comprehensive list of master themes in regards to achieving competency in thyroid surgery was developed. A follow up survey of the surgeons was undertaken at 5 years to determine if the perceptions during residency persisted in practice. Results: Surgical specialty residents experience and learn thyroid surgery in 5 learning themes: 1. Self—directed learning is significant during residency. 2. Repetition with graduated autonomy is key. 3. Effective mentors are competent surgeons who challenge residents and use positive teaching techniques. 4. Residents employ active learning through the “see one, do one, teach one” philosophy. 5. Learning from complexity is of importance to residency training. After several years in practice, the most important theme in learning after residency was repetition of cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates how residents progress in approaching competency in thyroid surgery. Adult learning strategies are preferred, and programs should incorporate tailored techniques to meet the individual needs of the residents. Perceptions of what is most important shifted in long-term follow up. Further study is needed to assure competency in residency and in practice.


Author(s):  
J. N. Baliya ◽  
Shivani Sharma

The purpose of this research was to study the impact of collaborative learning strategies on social maturity and its various dimensions viz. personal adequacy, interpersonal adequacy, and social adequacy, of secondary school students. The study was quasiexperimental and used matched pairs pre-test post-test research design. A Higher Secondary School in Educational Zone Hiranagar of District Kathua was chosen for the intervention. The study was conducted on sixty-six students of two sections of class 9th. Two sections were randomly assigned to collaborative and traditional learning conditions. Four methods of collaborative learning viz. Think-Pair-Share, Numbered Heads Together, Jigsaw, and Fish-Bowl were used for a period of over five weeks. The results were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and a critical ratio (CR). The results of the study showed that this approach was successful in increasing personal adequacy, interpersonal adequacy, social adequacy and overall social maturity of secondary school students.


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