Learning From Examples: Fostering Self-Explanations in Computer-Based Learning Environments

Cognitive skills acquisition involves developing the ability to solve problems in knowledge-rich task domains, and is particularly important for any individual attempting to meet the challenges of our modern, knowledge-driven economy. This type of economy argues for reconceptualizing cognitive skills acquisition as a lifelong process. Research has shown that worked-out examples are the key to initial cognitive skill acquisition and, therefore, critical to lifelong learning. The extent to which learners' profit from the study of examples, however, depends on how well they explain the solutions of the examples to themselves. This paper discusses our own research on different types of computer-based learning environments that indirectly foster self-explanations by (a) fostering anticipative reasoning, (b) supporting self-explanations during the transition from example study to problem solving, and (c) supporting self-explanation activities with instructional explanations. It also discusses ways of leveraging new computer and video technologies to enhance these environments by representing problem situations and their concepts dynamically. The paper concludes by suggesting that these learning environments, if employed successfully, can encourage systematic, lifelong learning.     

计算机模拟环境中的科学发现学习 --过程、条件与学习支持

如何在计算机模拟情境中嵌入有效的学习支持是当前研究者关注的一个重要问题.科学发现学习活动中有三种基本活动线索:问题表征与假设生成、实验检验、自我监控与反思概括.这种学习活动可能主要受三个内在条件的制约:意义性、系统逻辑性和反思概括,据此,针对计算机模拟环境中的学习支持可以包括三个侧面:解释性支持、实验性支持和反省性支持.     

联结学习设计与学习分析:教师技术创新教学的突破口——访西班牙巴利亚多利德大学雅尼斯·迪米特里亚迪斯教授

雅尼斯·迪米特里亚迪斯(Yannis Dimitriadis)教授任职西班牙巴利亚多利德大学远程信息技术工程系,兼任信息通讯技术与教学研究中心GSIC/EMIC研究团队负责人,主持和参与了五十多项国际国内科研项目,在教育技术顶级期刊发表了八十多篇学术论文,组织了多次学习科学高端国际学术专题研讨会和工作坊。研究方向包括学习设计、计算机支持协作学习、学习分析等。本次访谈着重于介绍学习设计的核心思想,即无论外部学习技术如何变化,“教学法为王”的原则在教育教学情境中的主导地位不能变。因此,人工智能时代的学习技术仍需为创新教学服务。从教师角度看,联结学习设计与学习分析为教师技术创新教学提供了突破口。一方面,学习设计为学习分析提供理论引导,便于教师精准知晓学习者在不同学习活动中的学习情况,另一方面,学习分析为优化学习设计提供基于数据驱动的方法指导,便于教师靶向式更新学习活动设计。践行学习设计与学习分析双向互动的发展路径,需要建立研究者与教师合作设计机制,引导教师参与学习设计;推进隐性设计知识在学习设计中的应用;关注教师探究学习者学习过程。本次访谈对新时代背景下信息技术与教学应用的深度融合提供了新的理念和方法指导。     

以过程性评价促进探究学习的开展

理论界所倡导的探究学习在实践界却叫好不叫座。产生这一问题的原因是多方面的，其中以传统的方式评价探究学习，是制约探究学习开展的重要因素之一。合理地运用过程性评价将有效地促进探究学习有效实施。     

Self-Directed Learning in Problem-Based Learning and its Relationships with Self-Regulated Learning

This study investigated the role of self-directed learning (SDL) in problem-based learning (PBL) and examined how SDL relates to self-regulated learning (SRL). First, it is explained how SDL is implemented in PBL environments. Similarities between SDL and SRL are highlighted. However, both concepts differ on important aspects. SDL includes an additional premise of giving students a broader role in the selection and evaluation of learning materials. SDL can encompass SRL, but the opposite does not hold. Further, a review of empirical studies on SDL and SRL in PBL was conducted. Results suggested that SDL and SRL are developmental processes, that the “self” aspect is crucial, and that PBL can foster SDL. It is concluded that conceptual clarity of what SDL entails and guidance for both teachers and students can help PBL to bring forth self-directed learners.     

关于医学教育中的自导学习

为了促进学习者有效适应未来发展的需要，帮助教师对自导学习(SDL)予以更多思考和关注，文章简要介绍了SDL的含义与所需的能力；重点讨论了PBL模式对SDL的支持关系，师生对SDL的认识．以及教师应在学生SDL中发挥的作用。SDL的实现是循序渐进的过程，SDL的能力通过解决问题逐步得到发展，并需要教师的必要引导。     

论促进知识建构的学习环境设计

本文从理解知识和知识建构的概念出发,分析了知识建构的特点,比较了知识建构与传统学习的差异,阐述了知识建构的方式,从建构主义学习环境设计理论的角度讨论了有效促进知识建构的学习环境设计方法。文章认为,有效促进知识建构的学习环境设计必须围绕活动、情境、资源、工具、支架、学习共同体和评价等七大基本要素来进行。这一学习环境设计方法为知识建构提供了一种思考和实践框架,有益于教师帮促学习者运用高阶思维开展有意义的学习,实现高阶能力的发展。     

基于学习支持服务系统的成人研究性学习——以信息不对称为视角

从信息不对称的视角研究电大现代远程开放教育中的成人研究性学习,发现电大成人学生在基于学习支持服务系统的研究性学习中存在信息不对称问题。在问卷调查和实证分析的基础上,针对性地提出了改善信息不对称、改建并完善成人研究性学习支持服务系统等对策建议。     

支持科学课程探究学习的实验模拟的交互因素分析

科学课程教学中利用软件模拟实验是探究学习途径的有益补充和扩展。文章针对当前实验模拟在交互方面存在的问题,结合课程标准的科学探究要求,分析实验模拟的交互因素,包括学生操作行为、学习支持和系统的反馈,并结合实例提出设计的考虑。     

模拟软件促进科学课程探究学习的作用分析

科学探究学习是创新教育的重要途径和科学学习的主要途径。模拟软件在创设自主探究学习环境和有效引导探究活动两个方面促进科学探究学习,涉及探究对象动态视觉化表征的作用、类型和方式;可操纵情境和关联的表征物在科学探究中的作用;模拟环境中科学探究活动的程序,探究活动中的指导。     

科学教育本质的实现途径--开展探究性学习活动

科学教育不仅向学生传授科学知识和获取科学知识的方法 ,而且还要进行科学本质教育。让学生理解科学的本质 ,是科学教育的中心任务之一。通过对一个科学课探究性学习活动案例进行评析 ,说明探究性学习活动有利于学生体验和理解科学本质 ,为科学本质教育提供了实现途径。     

Assessment of the Learning Environment of Inquiry-Type Laboratories in High School Chemistry

An inquiry-type laboratory has been implemented into the chemistry curriculum in high schools in Israel. In this study, we investigated the idea that generally the science laboratory provides a unique learning environment that differs from the learning environment that exists in classrooms in which other instructional techniques are used. Moreover, the inquiry laboratory provides students with a learning situation in which they are involved in activities that might influence some of the variables that are influencing the learning environment of such laboratories. In this study, the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI) was used to assess the students' perceptions of their chemistry laboratory learning environment. Statistical comparison of two groups (control and inquiry) revealed significant differences between the groups regarding their actual perceptions. Moreover, it was found that the differences between the actual and preferred laboratory learning environment were significantly smaller for the inquiry group than for the control group. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Learning with collaborative inquiry: a science learning environment for secondary students

When inquiry-based learning is designed for a collaborative context, the interactions that arise in the learning environment can become fairly complex. While the learning effectiveness of such learning environments has been reported in the literature, there have been fewer studies on the students’ learning processes. To address this, the article presents a study of science learning in a computer-supported learning environment called Collaborative Science Inquiry (CSI), which integrates guided inquiry principles for activity design, employs modelling and visualisation tools for promoting conceptual understanding and incorporates key computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) elements for enabling students’ collaboration. With the aim of understanding the process of students’ conceptual changes supported by the CSI learning environment as used in a secondary school, data on students’ test achievements, responses to learning tasks and peer discussions in collaboration were collected, analysed and discussed. The results of the qualitative and quantitative data analysis indicated that guided inquiry coupled with CSCL elements facilitated by the CSI system can engage students in inquiry activities and promote their conceptual understanding in a progressive way.     

An Online Questionnaire for Evaluating Students' and Teachers' Perceptions of Constructivist Multimedia Learning Environments

The purpose of this article is to describe the development, validation and use of the Constructivist Multimedia Learning Environment Survey (CMLES). This questionnaire assesses teachers' and students' perceptions of the learning environment when students use online multimedia programs while teachers use constructivism as a referent for their teaching. The design of the questionnaire was based on a constructivist approach to learning and focused on the process of learning with the multimedia program and on the nature of that program. Before the use of the CMLES becomes widespread, it was important to determine whether it is valid and reliable. Therefore, a study involving 221 students in 12 high school classrooms into statistical validation and interpretive validation of the questionnaire was undertaken. For this sample of Grade 10 and 11 students who completed the actual and preferred forms of the questionnaire, the CMLES scales demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency reliability (with alpha reliability coefficients ranging from .73 to .82), as well as satisfactory factorial validity and discriminant validity. Therefore, the study supports the reliability and validity of the CMLES for assessing students' and teachers' perceptions of one important aspect in evaluating learning environments which promote the use of multimedia programs and constructivist learning approaches.     

在信息技术学科开展研究性学习的尝试

适当开展信息技术学科的研究性学习活动,能有效地培养学生自主学习能力和创新精神,达到培养和提高信息素养的目的。在新课改理念下,对信息技术学科研究性学习的具体组织和实施做一些有益的尝试。     

Investigating the Effectiveness of Inquiry Instruction on the Motivation of Different Learning Styles Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate 8th graders with different learning styles their motivation outcomes after implementing 10 weeks (40 hours) inquiry-based teaching. Two hundreds and fifty four 8th graders were involved in experimental group, this group of students experienced inquiry instruction. Two hundreds and thirty two 8th graders were involved in control group, they were taught by traditional science teaching. Students' motivation toward science learning questionnaire (SMTSL) (Tuan, Chin & Shieh, 2005) were implemented in both groups in the beginning and at the end of the study. Students in the experimental group filled out learning preference questionnaire (Lumsdaine & Lumsdaine, 1995) in the beginning of the study. Forty students which represent different learning styles were chosen from five experimental classes to conduct post-test interview. Paired t-test, MANOVA, analytic inductive methods were used for analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Findings indicated that after inquiry instruction students' motivation increased significantly (p<.001) than students who enrolled in traditional teaching. Four different learning styles of students increased significantly (p<.005) in SMTSL scales: self-efficacy, active learning strategies, science learning value, performance goal and achievement goal. No significant difference was found among four learning styles of students' motivation after inquiry teaching. Interview data supported that most of students with different learning styles were willing to participate in the inquiry learning activities, while they hold different reasons for their engagement. Findings confirm inquiry-based science teaching can motivate students with different learning styles in science learning. An erratum to this article is available at .     

基于计算机学习环境下的自我调节学习

自我调节学习是学习者获得成功学习的重要因素,因此如何促进和利用学习者的自我调节学习能力就成为基于计算机的学习环境设计的关键问题。欧洲电子学习网络推出的iClass项目以自我调节学习的理论与模型为指导,充分促进了自我调节学习的实现。未来基于计算机学习环境的设计可以从多个方面促进学习者的自我调节学习。     

SMS/MMS服务支持的智能化移动学习框架

现代移动通信技术能够支持交互的教学过程,本文对人工智能的支持服务描述从互联学习支持模式开始,从理论上建立移动学习的支持框架,并行为网络学习的行为材料(activematerial)进行研究。本文还对PDA(个人掌上电脑) SMS(文本短信)/MMS(多媒体短信)的方式支持远程教育进行研究。文章中的角色分为:学习者,管理者,专家和学习资料。     

构建大学生研究性学习的新体系

论述了研究性学习的时代意义;研究性学习的内涵及其特征;提出了构建以人为本的学习理念,教学环节中渗透研究性学习模式与独立的研究性学习模式的新体系。明确提出了构建大学生研究性学习体系的支撑条件。     

数学研究性学习问题探讨

准确理解数学研究性学习的内涵 ,是数学研究性学习能否得到真正实施的关键。改变数学教学方式是改变学生学习方式的基础。数学教师应重新调整自己的角色意识 ,在平时的数学教学活动中培养学生的自主性