Authentic Online Branching Simulations

Author(s):  
Eric Bernstein ◽  
Sarah A. McMenamin ◽  
Michael C. Johanek

This chapter describes the use of online branching simulations, with varying levels of production value and using a variety of different development tools, to create authentic experiences for students in online courses. Simulations are a method of increasing student engagement, providing authentic learning experiences that enhance critical thinking skills and foster meaningful collaborative interactions among students. By creating simulations that are online, they are scalable and especially effective for use in distance and online learning environments. The use of these simulations draws on research supporting the effectiveness of simulations in education and in other professional fields, leveraging Social Learning and Social Cognitive Theories and builds off of a Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) framework.

Author(s):  
Eric Bernstein ◽  
Sarah A. McMenamin ◽  
Michael C. Johanek

This chapter describes the use of online branching simulations, with varying levels of production value and using a variety of different development tools, to create authentic experiences for students in online courses. Simulations are a method of increasing student engagement, providing authentic learning experiences that enhance critical thinking skills and foster meaningful collaborative interactions among students. By creating simulations that are online, they are scalable and especially effective for use in distance and online learning environments. The use of these simulations draws on research supporting the effectiveness of simulations in education and in other professional fields, leveraging Social Learning and Social Cognitive Theories and builds off of a Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) framework.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Jack TH Wang

In the increasingly competitive global knowledge marketplace, Australian tertiary educators are looking to enrich their program offerings by providing authentic learning experiences for their students. In the biological sciences, this authenticity is best represented by hands-on inquiry and laboratory experimentation, often within the context of research internships. Authentic Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experiences (ALUREs) aim to broaden the scope of these learning experiences by embedding research into coursework activities accessible by all students within the program. These experiences can promote learning gains in laboratory, analytical, and critical thinking skills, providing students with a transferable skillset applicable to many career paths across the science sector.


Author(s):  
Anne Katz

According to Albert Einstein, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” This quote illustrates my online teaching philosophy as I work to mentor graduate-level educators, deepening their knowledge of how to best facilitate their students' abilities to tackle twenty-first century literacy demands. Through designing and teaching online courses for a fully online Reading Specialist M.Ed. program as well as for students pursuing an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education or a Reading Endorsement, I have evolved as an online educator committed to inspire student success. This chapter will present the reader with strategies to create an online learning environment where students are provided with authentic opportunities to apply research-based approaches and modes of developing their pupils' literacy, communication, and critical thinking skills through innovative means.


Author(s):  
Hazel Joyce Mercado Ramirez

Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) provides an environment that enhances social interaction and shared knowledge construction among students. However, limited research has examined CSCL reinforced by question-asking scripting activity. This research investigated the effects of CSCL with question-asking scripting activity on the development of conceptual understanding and critical thinking in science. Moreover, the research design was a three-group pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental study in which the research sample were 106 Grade 7 students. The only difference between the control and the experimental groups was the exposure to CSCL. The experimental groups were exposed to CSCL approaches: one without scripting while one was exposed with question-asking scripting activity. Results revealed that CSCL approaches significantly affected the development of students’ conceptual understanding and critical thinking. Specifically, CSCL with scripting stimulated more intellectual discussion which allowed learners to deepen lesson comprehension and improve their critical thinking skills. Insights on the innovations through technology integration, collaborative inquiry learning, and question-asking activity to enhance science education were also discussed. The findings of this study have important implications for future practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 89-108
Author(s):  
Siti Kausar Zakaria ◽  
Norzaini Azman ◽  
Ruslin Amir ◽  
Mohd Noor Daud

The study is a descriptive survey study that aims to see the level of soft skills among Islamic Studies students’ courses. A total of 346 samples from a population of 955 students in Bachelor courses of Islamic Studies from a public university participated in the study. Seven attributes of soft skills (soft skills) for university students as outlined by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) which include communication skills, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving, lifelong learning, entrepreneurship and professional skills moral ethics were adopted. Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Min analysis shows that students master the six constituents of soft skills at a high level unless entrepreneurial skills at moderate level. The highest skill mastered was teamwork skills, followed by learning skills and information management skills, leadership skills, critical thinking skills and problem solving, communication skills and moral and professional ethics. Entrepreneurial skills which was mastered the least need to be improved to encourage Islamic studies graduate to join entrepreneurship. The study recommends that the students to pursue other professional fields without forgetting the noble role to preach the message of Islam in any career endeavor. Abstrak Kajian ini merupakan kajian tinjauan secara deskriptif bertujuan untuk melihat tahap penguasaan kemahiran insaniah pelajar kursus Pengajian Islam. Seramai 346 sampel daripada 955 orang populasi pelajar Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kursus Pengajian Islam daripada sebuah universiti awam tempatan terlibat dalam kajian. Tujuh attribut kemahiran insaniah (softskill) untuk pelajar IPT seperti yang digariskan oleh Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia (KPTM) merangkumi kemahiran komunikasi, kepimpinan, kerja berpasukan, berfikir kritis dan penyelesaian masalah, pembelajaran sepanjang hayat, keusahawanan dan kemahiran etika moral profesional (KPT 2006) digunapakai. Data kajian ini telah diperoleh melalui soal selidik dan dianalisis menggunakan prisian SPSS versi 17.0. Analisis min menunjukkan pelajar menguasai enam juzuk kemahiran insaniah pada tahap tinggi kecuali kemahiran keusahawanan pada tahap sederhana tinggi. Kemahiran yang paling tinggi dikuasai ialah kemahiran kerja berpasukan diikuti kemahiran pembelajaran berterusan dan pengurusan maklumat, kemahiran kemahiran kepimpinan, kemahiran pemikiran kritis dan penyelesaian masalah, kemahiran komunikasi dan kemahiran etika moral dan profesional. Kemahiran keusahawanan yang paling rendah dikuasai perlu dipertingkatkan sebagai usaha menggalakkan graduan pengajian Islam menceburi bidang keusahawanan. Kajian mencadangkan pelajar Pengajian Islam menceburi bidang-bidang profesional yang lainnya tanpa melupakan peranan mulia sebagai penyebar mesej keislaman dan pendakwah dalam apa jua karier yang diceburi.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee DeNoyelles ◽  
Beatriz Reyes-Foster

Being actively engaged in a task is often associated with critical thinking. Cultivating critical thinking skills, such as purposefully reflecting and analyzing one’s own thinking, is a major goal of higher education. However, there is a challenge in providing college students opportunities to clearly demonstrate these skills in online courses. This research explores the effectiveness of incorporating word clouds–visual representations of word frequency in a given passage of text–into online discussions. We sought to establish whether implementing word clouds in online discussions would result in a higher incidence of critical thinking and engagement. Survey results from undergraduate participants (n=132) revealed that students analyzing text in word clouds reported moderately higher scores on critical thinking and engagement than students analyzing the text in a linear fashion. A positive relationship was found between critical thinking and engagement, as well as peer interaction. This strategy can be applied to a wide range of educational environments to stimulate critical thinking and engagement.


2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Schaefer ◽  
Sue Doner ◽  
Janet Pivnick

The Native Species and Natural Processes certificate at the University of Victoria is an advanced-level online program of four courses to introduce students to state-of-the-art topics in the field of ecological restoration. The program posed some unique challenges for course developers.The development team needed to find ways to create online courses that support a practical approach for topics that normally require tangible hands-on work. The solutions to these challenges required a creative problem-solving approach to accommodate the unique elements of the development process and the delivery of each course. The solutions employed included(1) creation of a “connection to place” by use of extensive visuals in slide shows,(2) use of problem-based learning to develop critical thinking skills,(3) engagement of students via case studies to bridge the different languages inherent in different ecosystems,(4) conducting of virtual site visits to design real-world resto- ration projects,(5) inclusion of “fireside chat” audio to reinforce the idea of multiple perspec- tives and uncertainty,(6) establishment of a community of practice to engage students in collaborative learning,(7) creation of assign- ments that involve scaffolding projects and peer review,(8) allowance for students to customize projects to accommodate their geog- raphy and different realities, and(9) develop- ment of a design charrette to practice collabora- tive decision making and design.


Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Brooke

With increasing interest in online education, instructors must have a repertoire of tools available to promote the critical thinking skills of their students. This chapter will present the case method as one pedagogical approach for teaching online courses. Example cases are provided. Pedagogical approaches to working with new and seasoned online students are addressed. Further, the benefits of using the case method to promote learning in the virtual classroom are explained. The case studies presented for online classes present concrete situations that can be used to stimulate analysis, requiring students to project how they might respond to a set of circumstances. The case studies promote Socratic dialogue and higher order thinking skills. Further, the case method can be a good vehicle for stimulating students’ thoughts about step-by-step planning.


Author(s):  
Alexander Nagurney ◽  
Patrick A. Smith ◽  
Michelle Fulks Read ◽  
Ann Evans Jensen ◽  
Gwendolyn M. Morel ◽  
...  

This study examines the effect of gamifying and adding problem-solving aspects to discussion prompts in online courses with the goal of increasing the quantity and quality of student work. It was also a goal to foster motivation, engagement, and critical thinking skills. Results show an increase in the number of posts, the quality of posts as evaluated by the instructor, and student satisfaction with the overall course judged by responses to a survey administered at the end of the course. A number of recommendations are made, including furthering the use of student choice in how coursework is completed, promoting teamwork, and using incentives to increase student engagement.


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