Exploring the Effects of Web-Enabled Self-Regulated Learning and Online Class Frequency on Students' Computing Skills in Blended Learning Courses

2011 ◽  
pp. 1181-1193
Author(s):  
Pei-Di Shen ◽  
Chia-Wen Tsai

Web-based courses have shown to be successful in providing quality distance education. However, due to a national education policy, pure online courses are not permitted in Taiwan. In addition, there exists a lack of appropriate design and delivery of blended learning courses. In this study, the authors conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects in applying blended learning (BL) with web-enabled self-regulated learning (SRL) to enhance students’ skills of deploying database management system (DBMS). Four class sections with a total of 172 second-year students were taken as four distinct groups. The results showed that students in the SRL and BL groups with 5 online classes had the highest grades for using DBMS among the four groups. Students who received the treatments of web-enabled SRL also outperformed a control group that did not have the benefit of instruction in SRL. The implications of this study are also discussed.

Author(s):  
Pei-Di Shen ◽  
Chia-Wen Tsai

Web-based courses have shown to be successful in providing quality distance education. However, due to a national education policy, pure online courses are not permitted in Taiwan. In addition, there exists a lack of appropriate design and delivery of blended learning courses. In this study, the authors conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects in applying blended learning (BL) with web-enabled self-regulated learning (SRL) to enhance students’ skills of deploying database management system (DBMS). Four class sections with a total of 172 second-year students were taken as four distinct groups. The results showed that students in the SRL and BL groups with 5 online classes had the highest grades for using DBMS among the four groups. Students who received the treatments of web-enabled SRL also outperformed a control group that did not have the benefit of instruction in SRL. The implications of this study are also discussed. [Article copies are available for purchase from InfoSci-on-Demand.com]


Author(s):  
Chia-Wen Tsai ◽  
Pei-Di Shen

Many educational institutions provide online courses; however, the question whether they can be as effective as those offered in the face-to-face classroom format still exists. In addition, it also remains unclear whether every subject is appropriate to be delivered in web-based learning environments. Thus, the authors redesigned two courses with different orientations and conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of web-enabled self-regulated learning (SRL) in different course orientations on students’ computing skills. Four classes with 173 students from the courses ‘Database Management System’ and ‘Packaged Software and Application’ were divided into 2 (Design-oriented vs. Procedural-oriented) × 2 (SRL vs. non-SRL) experimental groups. The results showed that students who received the intervention of web-enabled SRL had significantly higher grades on the examination for certificates than those that did not receive this intervention, whether in design-oriented or procedural-oriented computing courses. Moreover, students in the two different courses had very similar scores, which resulted in non-significant differences in their end-of-term computing skills.


Author(s):  
Chia-Wen Tsai

The vocational schools in Taiwan regard professional certifications as a badge of skills achievement. However, due to a national policy, pure online courses are not permitted. Moreover, it remains unclear whether every subject is suitable to be delivered via online courses. In this regard, the author conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of applying blended learning (BL) with different course orientations on students’ computing skills, and explored the appropriate combination for teachers who teach computing courses. Four classes in successive semesters, with a total of 195 students from the courses of ‘Database Management System’ and ‘Packaged Software and Application’, were divided into 2 (Design-oriented vs. Procedural-oriented) × 2 (BL vs. Traditional Learning) experimental groups. The results showed that students from both design-oriented and procedural-oriented courses delivered in BL environment, had significantly higher grades on the examination for certificates than those who learned in traditional learning environment.


2011 ◽  
pp. 1614-1627
Author(s):  
Pei-Di Shen

Vocational degree earners represent a major portion of the work force in Taiwan. However, the reality of computing education in Taiwan’s vocational schools is that it’s not so practically oriented, revealing much room for improvement. In this context, we conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of applying web-based self-regulated learning, web-based problem-based learning with initiation, and their combination to enhance students’ computing skills. Four classes in successive years, with a total of 177 third-year students, were divided into 2 (SRL vs. non-SRL) × 2 (PBL with initiation vs. PBL without initiation) experimental groups. Results were generally positive. Results revealed that the effects of webenabled SRL, web-enabled PBL with initiation, and their combinations on students’ computing skills have significant differences. We hope that the online teaching method applied in this study is also useful for those teachers engaged in e-learning, specifically, in vocational schools.


Author(s):  
Pei-Di Shen

Vocational degree earners represent a major portion of the work force in Taiwan. However, the reality of computing education in Taiwan’s vocational schools is that it’s not so practically oriented, revealing much room for improvement. In this context, we conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of applying web-based self-regulated learning, web-based problem-based learning with initiation, and their combination to enhance students’ computing skills. Four classes in successive years, with a total of 177 third-year students, were divided into 2 (SRL vs. non-SRL) × 2 (PBL with initiation vs. PBL without initiation) experimental groups. Results were generally positive. Results revealed that the effects of web-enabled SRL, web-enabled PBL with initiation, and their combinations on students’ computing skills have significant differences. We hope that the online teaching method applied in this study is also useful for those teachers engaged in e-learning, specifically, in vocational schools. [Article copies are available for purchase from InfoSci-on-Demand.com]


Author(s):  
Chia-Wen Tsai

The vocational schools in Taiwan regard professional certifications as a badge of skills achievement. However, due to a national policy, pure online courses are not permitted. Moreover, it remains unclear whether every subject is suitable to be delivered via online courses. In this regard, the author conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of applying blended learning (BL) with different course orientations on students’ computing skills, and explored the appropriate combination for teachers who teach computing courses. Four classes in successive semesters, with a total of 195 students from the courses of ‘Database Management System’ and ‘Packaged Software and Application’, were divided into 2 (Design-oriented vs. Procedural-oriented) × 2 (BL vs. Traditional Learning) experimental groups. The results showed that students from both design-oriented and procedural-oriented courses delivered in BL environment, had significantly higher grades on the examination for certificates than those who learned in traditional learning environment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsang-Hsiung Lee ◽  
Pei-Di Shen ◽  
Chia-Wen Tsai

The vocational colleges in Taiwan regard professional certifications as a badge of skills achievement. To enhance student learning in this specific context, the authors conducted a quasi-experiment to explore effects of web-mediated self-regulated learning (SRL) with feedback, blended learning (BL) and their combinations on enhancing students’ skills of using Microsoft Word. Four classes in successive years, with a total of 190 freshmen, were divided into 2 (SRL with Feedback vs. SRL without Feedback) × 2 (Blended vs. Traditional) experimental groups. Results were generally positive. The results showed that students in the group of BL and SRL with feedback had better skills and higher pass rate on certification exams than those in the control group. It is hoped that the lesson learned is also useful for those teachers engaged in e-learning, specifically, in vocational colleges.


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