Vertical Studio

Since 2016 the Environmental and Interior Design Programme (E&I), School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has implemented an educational model called the vertical studio. Until now, the vertical studio model has become an instrumental peer-to-peer learning scheme while enhancing students' competency in digital literacy. A first of its kind within the design education context of Asia, the vertical studio model has contributed to advance design education practices, embracing collaborative learning opportunities, and facilitate knowledge and skills transfer of drawing techniques, technology, and digital proficiency.

The benefits of incorporating active learning into online, asynchronous coursework in Dental Physiology

The COVID-19 pandemic required a shift to online learning that posed particular challenges for the education of dental students. Basic science courses were presented in an online, asynchronous format to facilitate small group rotations through pre-clinical work. The success of active learning was previously examined in a Dental Physiology course, and it was desired to reassess those methods in an online environment. Students were provided with pre-recorded lectures containing learning activities, and the effectiveness was compared to traditional lecture recordings. On surveys, dental students had more positive perceptions of online recordings that incorporated active learning strategies, with higher perceived effectiveness of the lecturer, ability to pay attention, motivation to study, and confidence with the material. This was similar to the previous study, in which face-2-face (F2F) active learning was more positively reviewed than traditional lectures. Compared to these past sections, the online cohort expressed similarly positive perceptions of the active learning sections, but the online traditional lectures were perceived to be less effective than F2F lectures. Despite the differences in student perceptions, unit exam scores were similar for didactic lectures in both online and F2F settings. Unit exam scores were significantly higher when active learning strategies were employed, with the highest performance levels in the F2F cohort. While active learning strategies continue to be effective, further research is needed to optimize these methods and engage students in online coursework. The results suggest the importance of active and collaborative learning opportunities in the education of students in physiology coursework.

Factors affecting paramedicine students’ learning about evidence‐based practice: a phenomenographic study

Background Evidence-based practice is an important component of pre-service professional learning in medicine and allied health degrees, including new programmes in paramedicine. Despite substantial interest in this area, there is still a lack of clear understanding of how the skills and understandings needed to develop the capacity to apply evidence-based practice can best be learned. Evidence-based practice is often described as consisting of five steps: ask, acquire, appraise, apply and assess. This study focuses on paramedicine students’ learning about the first three steps in a final year unit which explicitly aims to develop their skills in relation to these. Methods We conducted a qualitative study of learning journals recorded by 101 of 121 students in a final year unit of a paramedicine degree (20 students either withheld consent for their journals to be used in the research or did not complete their journal entries). We used phenomenographic approaches to the data analysis in order to identify both variation in students’ learning and the factors affecting this variation. Results We observed variation in students’ understanding of the purpose of literature analysis, the nature of medical research and its relationship to practice. In all three, we identify two main factors contributing to the variation in student learning outcomes: epistemological stance, and opportunities for metacognitive learning generated through peer interactions and self-reflection. We also found that as students begin to grapple with the complexity of medical research, this sometimes produced negative attitudes towards its value; such unintended outcomes need to be recognised and addressed. Conclusions We suggest key factors that should be considered in developing coursework intended to enhance students’ understandings about the processes and application of evidence-based practice. Providing collaborative learning opportunities that address the architecture of variation we observed may be useful in overcoming epistemological and metacognitive barriers experienced by students.

Anonymous Online Learning in Korea and Integrating Anonymous Learning Elements

This paper explores anonymous online learning as a tool to overcome specific teaching and learning issues within Korean post-secondary institutions. The chapter utilizes a survey of a small group of ESL students at a single Korean university to better understand student preferences and opinions about non-traditional learning options and opportunities in Korea. While many students in Korea have not been exposed to online learning, the students surveyed expressed interest in learning online and they were especially interested in collaborative learning opportunities. As more online classes and online learning opportunities start to become available in South Korea, this study explores anonymous online learning as an effective tool to overcome some significant and distinct teaching and learning challenges at Korean post-secondary institutions. The anonymous online learning suggestions and approaches in the paper can be implemented within fully online courses and blended classes but they can also be used as stand-alone online components of traditional face to face and ESL courses.

Designing for learning during collaborative projects online: tools and takeaways

Purpose In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, many universities have transitioned to online instruction. With learning promising to be online, at least in part, for the near future, instructors may be thinking of providing online collaborative learning opportunities to their students who are increasingly isolated from their peers because of social distancing guidelines. This paper aims to provide design recommendations for online collaborative project-based learning exercises based on this research in a software engineering course at the university level. Design/methodology/approach Through joint work between learning scientists, course instructors and software engineering practitioners, instructional design best practices of alignment between the context of the learners, the learning objectives, the task and the assessment are actualized in the design of collaborative programming projects for supporting learning. The design, first segments a short real-time collaborative exercise into tasks, each with a problem-solving phase where students participate in collaborative programming, and a reflection phase for reflecting on what they learned in the task. Within these phases, a role-assignment paradigm scaffolds collaboration by assigning groups of four students to four complementary roles that rotate after each task. Findings By aligning each task with granular learning objectives, significant pre- to post-test learning from the exercise as well as each task is observed. Originality/value The roles used in the paradigm discourage divide-and-conquer tendencies often associated with collaborative projects. By requiring students to discuss conflicting ideas to arrive at a consensus implementation, their ideas are made explicit, thus providing opportunities for clarifying misconceptions through discussion and learning from the collaboration.

A National Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Engagement in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Schools: Identifying Predictive Factors and Barriers to Implementation

Purpose This study examined the models of collaboration used by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) during the provision of special education services including factors predicting use of the interprofessional collaborative practice (IPP) model and barriers to collaboration. Method School-based SLPs responded to a survey on models of collaboration within their work setting. Anchored vignettes were created to determine their engagement in 3 different models (i.e., multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and interprofessional) used in the provision of special education services during evaluation and intervention. Predictive factors supporting and/or hindering the use of IPP were identified. Results Results demonstrated low percentages of school-based SLPs engaging in IPP during initial evaluations (8%), eligibility meetings (43%), and intervention sessions (14%). Three factors predicted use of IPP in schools: prior training in collaboration, years of experience, and educational setting. The most frequently cited barriers to SLPs' engagement in collaboration included time constraints/scheduling (48%), resistance from other professionals (23%), and lack of support from employers/administration (11%). Conclusions The results of the current study indicated that systemic change is needed at both the university and public school levels. At the university level, preprofessional students need collaborative learning opportunities that are integrated across programs and colleges. School-based SLPs and other education professionals could benefit from job-embedded learning focused on IPP to increase their knowledge and engagement in IPP and improve student outcomes. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9340760

Virtual worlds for collaborative learning: Arab EFL learners' attitudes toward Second Life

In the Arab world, there is a lack of research investigating the use of virtual games to support learning English as a foreign language (EFL). The aim of this study was to examine EFL learners' attitudes towards the integration of the Second Life virtual game as a collaborative instructional tool. A descriptive inquiry method was followed, and data gathered using a questionnaire that had been tested for validity and reliability. Forty-one undergraduates, enrolled in two computer-assisted language learning classes, at a school of education represent the study sample. Findings indicated that the majority were in favor of using virtual worlds as collaborative learning contexts. Recommendations include that: 1) EFL teachers be trained to utilize virtual games; 2) EFL learners be encouraged to utilize virtual portals as collaborative learning opportunities to engage with target foreign language speakers around the world, and 3) EFL instructors create learning tasks requiring learners to interact with other language speakers in virtual games to ensure rich language exposition. Moreover, it is recommended that further studies consider a qualitative design that makes use of in-depth observations and interviews to explore learners’ attitudes about the integration of this technology in an EFL context.

Digital Citizenship in Virtual Environments

Virtual environments provide collaborative learning opportunities beyond physical walls and without time constraints. Learners connect across the planet in real time. The virtual representation of self requires understanding of personal responsibility for digital citizenship and information literacy. Both presentation of self and evaluation of content in all formats are new challenges for learners of all ages, including the youngest students born into an age of networked sharing and connecting. Virtual learning environments may transform education and certainly provide both advantages and disadvantages for educators and learners. Understanding personal responsibility for digital citizenship is imperative to best practices of education in virtual spaces. This chapter focuses on digital citizenship and information literacy in virtual worlds, virtual reality, and immersive learning environments.

SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITIES: USING PEER ASSESSMENT IN SENIOR, ENGINEERING DESIGN TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SUPPORT AND MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK DESPITE LARGE CLASS SIZE

– Urban Water Systems Design is a required, senior engineering design course for undergraduate students in the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering programs at the University of Guelph. A central component to this course has been a challenging, stormwater management design and simulation project. Recently, enrollment has increased from approximately 50 to 90 students. With these increased numbers, it is no longer feasible for the instructor to provide individualized, rich and robust feedback on the project. Rather than eliminating or simplifying the project, which is a highly valuable learning activity, peer assessment was investigated as an option. In Fall 2016, peer assessment was implemented for two term tests and a design project. In addition to addressing resource constraints, this shift in responsibilities takes advantage of the active, collaborative, learning opportunities provided by grading tests in class and giving feedback to and receiving feedback from others on design work and report writing. To achieve the largest benefit possible, best practices suggested in the literature were followed, such as training peer assessors, including developing a rubric with the class to enhance understanding of expectations; using multiple assessors to address student concerns about fairness; and incorporating reflection on the peer assessment activities. Data were collected through two surveys administered before and after the course’s peer evaluation activities and through graded reflections on peer evaluation activities. Most students thought they learned as much or more than they would have without the incorporation of peer evaluation. Based on predominantly positive student comments and fair grading, peer grading of tests will be used in future with a few minor modifications. Most students also found the peer assessment of design reports to be fair, with a reasonable time commitment. Some students were troubled by the variability of grades given by peers. Enhanced training was suggested to help students grade more consistently and provide more effective feedback.