Enhancing the Quality of Computer Science Education with MOOCs in Sub-Saharan Africa

The quality of computer science education in higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa is reported to be poor. This is due to acute shortage of well-trained faculty members, irrelevant and outdated curricula, and poor teaching methodology. Although several interventions exist to improve the quality of computer science education in the region, there have not yet been many attempts to systematically adapt and integrate Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in computer science education. This chapter presents approaches that can be used by faculty members to adapt and integrate MOOCs in order to enhance the quality of computer science education. These approaches are the first steps towards helping faculty members and institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa to utilize the potential of MOOCs to improve the quality of computer science education and to equip students with employable skills for both local and international IT industry.

Mobile Learning

Today's learner is able to access information from mobile devices. Due to accessibility and affordability of mobile devices, more instructors continue to adopt instructional design models of mobile learning as more learners also bring their mobile devices to their classrooms. Instructors using flipped classroom model organize the learning activities both inside and outside classroom. Before the next class the instructor avails instruction and content in advance. The learner reviews class content materials and assigned research activities at home prior to class. In class, the instructor allows learners to peer review their work in groups while the instructor engages them to validate their work. The findings described in this chapter suggest that introducing mobile learning to learners in a flipped classroom model helps to bridge learner entry behavior as it improves learner performance.

Instructional Re-design for an Active Flipped Classroom

The purpose of this chapter is to present and discuss the instructional design process model -- ADDIE, and nine flipped course design principles, which when used in parallel, offer a means to support the development and implementation of a hybrid or flipped classroom. Discussion of the pedagogical terms hybrid, blended, flipped classrooms, and active learning, are followed by an overview of the instructional design process model ADDIE, along with evidenced-based flipped classroom design principles. A partial example of how these two frameworks may be applied to the re-design of a fully online course into a flipped or hybrid course is demonstrated, and emergent design-consideration questions are offered.

Effective Feedback in Online Learning

This chapter discusses the effective use of feedback in online learning. Feedback is an essential component of learning. Faculty and instructors spend hours providing feedback, which is often not used to maximum benefit by the learners. Feedback, related assessment, evaluation and grades, is the comments provided to learners on their work. Guidelines for providing quality feedback are discussed. Types of feedback suitable for a range of contexts are presented. Techniques and technologies that enable detailed feedback to be delivered quickly to learners are discussed. With a little practice, using the methods discussed can reduce the amount of time spent on providing feedback, reduce learner wait time and increase the learner use of the feedback, all desirable outcomes.

An Integral Approach to Active Learning in Mathematics

In this chapter we examine the notion of “active learning” through Wilber's Integral AQAL Model and through two learning models based on AQAL. Our examination of Edwards' integral learning and Renert and Davis' five stages of mathematics, results in a multi-perspective, multi-level notion of “active learning”. We demonstrate, through the development of a rubric to gauge students' “activeness”, the complexity of what is involved in the teaching and learning process when one becomes mindful of the perspectives and levels (AQAL) that are present for every student. Several episodes of learning are used to show how each theoretical model applies, and an extended episode, which illustrates a student's repair strategy on a mathematically erroneous concept, is used to illustrate the analysis of the extent of active learning. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how the rubric of active learning, along with the four continua, can help teachers be mindful of the multiple perspectives that influence learning.

A Professional Development Framework for the Flipped Classroom Model

A major goal of K-12 education is to create a student-centered classroom where educators are teaching to increase critical thinking skills, promote problem-based learning, and differentiate instruction. However, the reality is that many educators are challenged by the difficult task of creating such a learning environment in their classrooms. In this chapter, the authors will introduce a Flipped Classroom Professional Development project, a Title II Part A Higher Education Improving Teacher Quality State Grant initiative. This project centered on two goals. First, the authors sought to teach the flipped classroom model through an integrated literacy and math approach while “mathematizing” read-aloud instruction for primary and elementary grade educators. Secondly, the chapter describes efforts to expand teachers' repertoire of effective instructional, blended technology tools for teaching math and literacy. The authors will conclude with the potential of the Flipped Classroom model in K-5 settings based upon this professional development framework.

The Continuous and Systematic Study of the College Algebra Flipped Classroom

A flipped classroom teaching approach was used in the teaching of college algebra within a broader initiative for mathematics learning. The flipped classroom approach was documented as an integrated teaching model acknowledging multiple teaching approaches, including in-class cooperative learning, mentored laboratory activities, and online teaching videos. A design and development framework was used to describe the design decisions, model implementation, and model evaluation across three deliveries (cases 1, 2, and 3a/3b) of a college algebra course from fall of 2012 through fall of 2013. Key findings included students perceiving video outside of class as resources and not instruction. What replaced the lecture during face-to-face class time was integral to the success of the flipped classroom teaching approach. The use of videos does not constitute a flipped classroom, but requires an overall teaching strategy with an involved teacher who pays attention to individual student needs.

Integration of Multiple Web 2.0 Tools and Student Task Completion in Two Educational Technology Classes

This chapter reports on online student task completion activities as they engage in a learning environment that uses multiple Web 2.0 tools in two sections of a graduate level Educational Technology course at an American institution of higher education. Using a web-based Likert-type questionnaire to collect data from twenty-two participants, this chapter sought to investigate the relationship between working with multiple Web 2.0 tools and student task completion activities (following discussion threads, team work, and meeting assignment deadlines) in a network learning environment (NLE), what Web 2.0 tools students prefer the most in online learning environments, whether there is any gender difference in terms of task completion, and which activities presented more challenge to participants. The survey results indicate that no significant correlation exist between the variables. Finally, recommendations for future research are suggested.

Challenges in Implementing the Flipped Classroom Model in Higher Education

The flipped classroom as typically applied in higher education, consists of delivering lecture material outside of classroom contact, leaving face-to-face class time for more interactive learning, discussion, integration, and application of content (Grant, 2013). Increasing numbers of teachers in higher education are considering implementing this model in light of the perceived benefits of a more active engagement of students in their learning, be it in education, interior designing, medical, sciences, social science, business and management programs (Fulton, 2012; Grant,2013; Roehl, et al. 2013). However, there are challenges in implementing this model. This chapter aims to identify some of the more common challenges. Finally, an example of ‘work in progress' of addressing of these challenges in ‘flipping' the classroom in a first-year university course.

Challenges and Opportunities for Active and Hybrid Learning related to UNESCO Post 2015

The UNESCO Post-2015 Development Agenda proposes equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all as its overarching goals for education. A holistic quality approach is espoused to encourage lifelong learning and thereby build inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous societies. Their quality goals are particularly ambitious given that the practical recommendations for inclusive education necessitate ubiquity and are disruptive of existing processes. Higher education is facing widespread and serious challenges in terms of helping individuals develop and acquire the ability to advance and sustain their own learning. Proactive and innovative strategies are required to fully embrace the open learning culture in a manner that aligns with the global driving forces for the development of the individual, society, and the world in general. This chapter examines shaping the future of education related to UNESCO Post-2015, especially its interrelatedness with adhering to quality standards in education for all.