How does STEM context-based learning work: what we know and what we still do not know

ABSTRACT

Context-based learning (CBL) has influenced teaching and learning science in many countries over the past decades. Twelve years ago, a special issue on CBL was published in this Journal, focusing on CBL curriculum development. Seven papers in this current special issue on CBL now address the question of how a context influences the learning process. The papers focus on the stimulation of learning STEM subjects within contexts, how the learning process occurs and is enhanced, and the application of contexts in different settings. The approaches, results, and implications of the papers are located in a larger view that considers the question of what must be the case if a student not only engages in the tasks of learning but also succeeds at them. Concerning willingness and effort by learners, the papers draw conclusions about which STEM-related interests of students endure and are ephemeral across a decade, design criteria for maximising students’ situational interest, and students’ engagement with content and context simultaneously. Focusing on the opportunity to teach and learn, the papers reveal how a professional development approach functions to support STEM teachers to develop CBL materials, and how specific scaffolding acts in teaching bring students to more complex reasoning. Regarding good teaching, insights are offered on how metacognitive prompts improve teaching. Centring on the social surround that supports teaching and learning, a comparison of two contexts for teaching the same content reveals which aspects of the contexts move student learning forward. From this mapping, paths toward future research are projected.     

Investigation of Various Modes of Computer-based-learning for Secondary Schools

Case studies on five different modes of computer-based learning (CBL) were conducted in two secondary schools. The five CBL modes are: a) CBL for revising a previously taught topic; b) CBL for introducing a new topic; c) CBL for vocabulary acquisition; d) CBL for learning problem-solving and information-processing skills; and e) use of the word-processor for learning grammar and writing skills. This paper describes the implementation procedures and evaluation findings, and discusses the potential of these five CBL modes.     

联合CBL和RBL教学在神经内科实习教学中的应用

目的:探讨CBL与RBL相结合的教学模式在神经内科实习教学中的效果.方法:将69名学生分为对照组、CBL教学组和CBL与RBL结合组,在实习教学中分别采用传统教学、CBL教学和CBL联合RBL教学教学模式,通过问卷调查、理论考试和临床操作能力考核,比较三种教学模式的效果.结果:CBL组学习兴趣、自主学习能力、表达能力和团队协作能力优于对照组,CBL与RBL结合组的学习兴趣、自主学习能力、查阅文献能力、表达能力、团队协作能力和创新能力优于CBL组.CBL和CBL与RBL结合组理论考试和临床操作均优于对照组,CBL与RBL结合组的理论成绩优于CBL组.结论:CBL与RBL结合的教学模式有利于将理论联系实践,培养创新能力,更有利于神经内科临床实习教学.     

Tutorial Learning for the New Century

This paper begins with visions of the future of learning. It then considered current and new paradigms concerning technology and learning. It gives particular emphasis to highly interactive tutorial learning, for very large numbers of students in distance learning situations. Then it considers schools and universities in terms of the new paradigms. It ends with a brief plan for attaining this new learning system.     

Issues surrounding the introduction of formal student contracts

This paper considers the appropriateness of introducing formal learning agreements in a higher education institution (HEI). It begins by examining the current legal nature of the student/university relationship and the legal status of formal learning agreements. The paper then explores the impact of such agreements on student satisfaction by reviewing the literature pertaining to student satisfaction and discussing the findings from a collaborative inquiry (CI) event, questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews. It also considers the title that such an agreement should bear and the possible content of such an agreement. The conclusion reached, is that a judiciously constructed learning agreement can potentially improve the service that students receive, promote the notion that a student is a member of a community, influence student expectations and thus increase student satisfaction. It is therefore an option that should be carefully considered, particularly as the vast majority of students who responded to the questionnaire distributed as part of the study supported the introduction of learning agreements.     

Challenges for collaborative blended learning in undergraduate students

This study reports a quasi-experiment in collaborative blended learning (CBL) with undergraduate students who, despite being in a world-leading, enriched digital environment, were new to collaboration and CBL. The mixed-methods research found that only small improvements to students’ CBL took place over time, and explanations for this are proffered. The study found that the students needed specific and intensive instruction, practice, and development in how to collaborate, both with and without blended learning. Students discovered and appreciated the benefits, pitfalls, and challenges to collaboration and CBL largely by doing it: learning from experience. Collaboration and CBL do not release teachers from their instructional and pedagogical roles; rather, they place teachers and face-to-face instruction and practice in collaboration and CBL in classrooms, at the heart of effective practice and improvements here. Implications for teaching are suggested.     

Using CBL to improve cognitive load and reduce feedback redundancy in Accounting distance learning

This study explored the value of providing Introductory Accounting distance education students with feedback via a computer‐based learning (CBL) package modelled on teacher dialogue. CBL provided tightly focussed feedback without increasing the materials’ complexity ('element interactivity'), and without redundant feedback, while ensuring the learners engaged with the materials at an optimal ('germane') mental processing level. The CBL feedback provided verification and elaboration at key points. The CBL was used to complement written learning materials. The students using CBL performed significantly better than the total group. The students found the CBL materials useful, but ranked the written materials higher than CBL. Both student preferences and learning results indicated the value of CBL feedback.     

Supporting the Learning of Deaf Students in Higher Education: a case study at Sheffield Hallam University

The past decade has witnessed significant changes in the student population entering HE programmes of study. Such changes have been accompanied by increased central accountability and reduced central funding. This paper reflects on the role that computer-based learning (CBL) can play in supporting students, specifically adult learners, in such an environment. It suggests that the technology has demanded more attention than the pedagogic issues and argues that CBL must take advantage of adult learners' experiences to gain maximum advantage in the future .     

CBL结合视频教学模式在麻醉学临床见习教学中的应用

探讨CBL结合视频教学法对本科生麻醉临床见习的影响。选取2015级麻醉专业2个班级各30人,一班实施传统的讲授式教学模式,二班实施CBL结合视频教学模式。对两组学生的麻醉临床见习效果进行分析比较,结果显示,与传统教学模式组相比,CBL结合视频教学组教学效果显著提高。在麻醉见习教学中应用CBL结合视频教学法,不仅能激发学生的学习兴趣,更能充分调动学生的积极性,提高学习效果,因此CBL结合视频教学模式在本科生临床麻醉带教中值得推广应用。     

中美信息技术与课程整合项目的比较及启示

文章对美国新发布的ACOT2项目报告的核心内容做了概述,对项目所开展的一种新的学习方式:基于挑战的学习(Challenge Based Learning,简称CBL)进行了追述,分析了CBL的构成要件和实施过程。最后,将ACOT项目与国内课程整合项目从项目指导理念、项目目标、项目推进方式、项目实验学科和课程整合模式等五个方面进行了比较分析,试图找出两国在整合项目上的不同取向,并尝试对我国教育信息化发展提出几点启示。     

Mucking in and mucking out: Vocational learning in Animal Care

The paper draws upon empirical material from a two year qualitative research project. The paper briefly outlines the key research questions, research design and data collection strategies. The following sections draw on observational, interview and journal data from the learning sites and the teachers and students who work and learn in them are used to show how college-based learning (CBL) is also work-based learning (WBL). We argue that to differentiate between CBL and WBL in this particular case is unhelpful and three separate contexts are identified to show where learning typically occurs for students of animal care. The discussion draws upon Lave and Wenger's ‘communities of practice’ and Fuller and Unwin's notion of ‘expansive learning environments’ to illustrate the ways in which full time students of animal care undertake valuable real work (albeit mostly unwaged) on farms, in stables and in reptile houses. Characteristics of communities of practice, namely, recognition of distributed expertise, inclusive language and interactions, ways of communicating about animals and nurturing teacher–student and student–student relations are identified.     

PBL联合CBL教学在医学留学生实习中的探索应用

探讨医学留学生临床实习中PBL联合CBL教学模式的教育质量和教学条件。通过对教学内容和讲课方式的详细讨论显示PBL联合CBL教学法对提高留学生实习生解决临床问题能力的优势。     

Compulsory Schooling‐‐the Critical Dimension to Work and Learning in the New Millennium

This article discusses the need to better match education to the needs of redefined work. It considers some of the attitudes and personal characteristics required in the new millennium and holds that these should be imparted through compulsory schooling. It further considers the appropriateness of skills training, vocational education, and employment strategies in the changing arena of business; the impact on the Twenty‐First Century learner of internationalization and globalization; and current as well as potential innovative learning experiences and opportunities. International business and learning examples are cited.     

Performativity and enjoyable learning

This paper takes critical lenses to interpret what students find enjoyable in their learning in specific ‘subject’ environments within the prevailing socio-economic climate in higher education. It considers student dispositions that emerged from dialogues with two groups of students attending a non-traditional university and taking vocational degrees within England, UK. We argue that although each higher education institute can become its own destiny, it can only do so within the boundaries of state policy and its technologies. Higher education, when affected by cultures of ‘performativity’, is arguably focused less on knowledge for ‘emancipation’ and its own sake and more on the ‘use value’ of its products. This paper argues that what is valued by these particular students in their learning and what gives them positive feelings as they engage with this process of learning is not altogether independent of the current governances shaping higher education.     

Engagement and kindness in digitally mediated learning with teachers

This paper explores the significance of designing online learning led by the principle of direct and meaningful participant engagement. It considers the notion of kindness as a crucial value contributing to pedagogy and the development of meaningful learning relationships. The paper challenges the ‘delivery’ approach to online learning, suggesting that the flexible and explicit design of engagement opportunities from a sociocultural perspective is a more meaningful and human approach to learning online. The paper clarifies the term Digitally Mediated Learning (DML) to establish connections to important pedagogic positions. The research approach is based around a qualitative professional reflective enquiry. It considers the experiences of learners on a Masters in Education online module and concludes that design, engagement nurturing, community cohesion and kindness can become crucial aspects of successful DML, if institutions learn to value the life projects of others more fully.     

Students’ experiences of clinic‐based learning during a final year veterinary internship programme

This study investigated veterinary students’ experiences of clinic‐based learning (CBL) during a comprehensive final year internship programme. Open‐ended surveys (n = 93) were used to gather qualitative data about students’ conceptions of what is learned during CBL and their approaches to learning in clinics. Phenomenography was used for detailed analysis of the variation evident in students’ responses. Relationships between qualitative differences in students’ conceptions and approaches were then evaluated using quantitative statistical analysis. Links to achievement during final year were examined. Close associations were found between the quality of students’ experiences of CBL and achievement during the internship programme.     

Context-based learning and metacognitive prompts for enhancing scientific text comprehension

ABSTRACT

Context-based learning (CBL), promoting students' scientific text comprehension, and fostering metacognitive skills, plays an important role in science education. Our study involves CBL through comprehension and analysis of adapted scientific articles. We developed a module which integrates metacognitive prompts for guiding students to monitor their understanding and improve their scientific text comprehension. We investigated the effect of these metacognitive prompts on scientific text comprehension as part of CBL in chemistry. About 670 high school chemistry students were randomly divided into three groups exposed to high- and low-intensity CBL. One of the high-intensity groups was also exposed to metacognitive prompts. Research tools included pre- and post-questionnaires aimed at measuring students' conceptual chemistry understanding and metacognitive knowledge in the context of reading strategies, before and after exposure to the CBL. Chemistry understanding was reflected by students' ability to identify the main subject of the adapted article and by explaining concepts both textually and visually. We found that high-intensity CBL combined with metacognitive prompts improved students' chemistry understanding of the adapted scientific articles and the ability to regulate their learning. Our study establishes that reading context-based adapted scientific articles advances students' conceptual chemistry understanding. These gains are strongly amplified by domain-specific metacognitive prompts.     

CBL+TBL双轨教学模式在儿科护理教学中的探索

为适应现代医学教育的要求,在本科儿科肿瘤学护理教学中使用案例教学法(Case-Based Learning)与基于团队学习教学法(Team-Based Learning),促使学生积极参与课堂教学,提升学生的自主学习能力,培养学生形成探究性思维等,促进学生全面掌握肿瘤学理论基础和提高临床思维能力。文章分析TBL与CBL双规教学模式的特点,针对我校儿科肿瘤学护理教学中存在的问题,及时采取应对措施,提高了教学质量。     

Problem- Versus Case-based Approaches in Teaching Medical Students about Eating Disorders: A controlled comparison

Fourth-year medical students were allocated randomly to either problem-based learning (PBL) or case-based learning (CBL) tutorials on the topic of eating disorders during their 6-week psychiatry attachment. All students were evaluated in terms of their tutorial performance and the factual knowledge they had acquired. In turn, students evaluated the performance of the tutors in both the PBL and the CBL process. No significant differences were found between the student groups with respect to their performance or acquired knowledge. Furthermore, there were no significant differences when comparing the PBL format with the CBL format with regard to group functioning or oral interaction between students. Finally, student ratings for tutor performance on feedback, group management skills and personal qualities showed no differences. Implications for education are discussed.     

Case study on community-based learning: toy design project for children in Egyptian squatter community

Introduction to Engineering is the first engineering course American University in Cairo students take upon admission to the engineering program. It is required of students in all disciplines of engineering. It is a one-credit-hour course that covers topics including history of engineering, engineering fields of specializations, the engineering profession, engineering communications, engineering ethics, and societal obligations. Community-based learning (CBL) was introduced into the course via the required course project. The project was to design toys for children at a school in a disadvantaged squatter community in Old Cairo, Egypt, where infrastructure is poor and education and social mobility can be very limited. The project was carried out in partnership with a non-governmental organization based in Old Cairo. This paper shows how the introductory engineering course was redesigned to integrate CBL while meeting the stated ABET course outcomes. Included are detailed instructions on the tools and structure of the project to provide an example for others wishing to adapt some of these tools to other courses. The paper presents the outcome assessments and survey results to evaluate the project’s success at meeting the stated outcomes and includes a discussion on the benefits to the students and the community partner.