A Study of Computer-Assisted Learning Environments in Singapore

The present study filled some gaps in past learning environment research in that, first, it involved the development of a new instrument tailor-made specifically for use in computer-assisted learning (CAL) classrooms and, second, it provided one of the rare examples of an evaluation of computer-assisted learning based on its impact on the nature of a classroom learning environment as perceived by students. In addition, the research was conducted in the unique milieu of the Singapore school system, and it investigated associations between students' outcomes and the classroom environment in computer-assisted learning settings.     

Frequency,efficiency and flexibility of indirect addition in two learning environments

This study examined the development of indirect addition as an alternative for solving multidigit subtractions, by means of two learning environments in traditionally schooled third-graders in Flanders (Belgium). Thirty-five third-graders, who did not demonstrate mastery of indirect addition, participated in an Explicit (n = 20) or Implicit (n = 15) learning environment that aimed to encourage the development of indirect addition. Over a period of six weeks, children participated in nine individual sessions: four practice sessions, three test sessions, one transfer session, and one retention session. The results revealed that throughout the study indirect addition was rarely used, even by the children in the explicit learning environment. However, when indirect addition was used, it was executed very efficiently.     

The Application of an Adaptive,Web-based Learning Environment on Oxidation-reduction Reactions

The World Wide Web is increasingly being used as a vehicle for flexible learning, where learning is seen to be free from time, geographical, and participation constraints. In addition to flexibility, the Web facilitates student-centered approaches, creating a motivating and active learning environment. The purpose of this study is to set up an adaptive learning environment on Internet and to experiment with the most suitable methods and applications. Our goal is to provide a better solution with regard to the related distance learning research. All the resources and background are from current relevant documents on the theory of asynchronous distance education. We set up an adaptive Internet learning system based on learning theory and related learning models. Our research targets are those students who took the ‘life chemistry’ course for the asynchronous distance education environment at Providence University in Taiwan. The students were divided randomly into two groups: the experimental group, which was in an adaptive learning environment, and the controlled group, which was in a non-adaptive one. We used the American Chemistry Society test bank as our research tool and used SPSS to analyse the data we obtained. Results show that the experimental group in the adaptive learning environment out-performs the controlled group. In addition, those students who are field independent learning types, have higher pre-knowledge, are male, in science departments and have a longer study time span in an adaptive learning environment show much greater achievement levels than those in the opposite situations.     

Taking a step towards understanding interactions between teacher efficacy in behavior management and the social learning environment: a two-level multilevel analysis

Behavior management in the classroom is well known for being a challenge and a source of stress for preservice and experienced teachers alike. This means it may not only impact teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, but teachers’ efficacy perceived by their students too, engendering effects on the social learning environment and vice-versa. This article aims at taking a step towards a better understanding of which aspects of the social learning environment preservice teachers and their students take into account when positioning themselves on behavior management efficacy. It then goes onto exploring how students’ perception of teacher efficacy in behavior management varies across classes and how it interacts with the social learning environment through a two-level model analysis. Results showed that the social learning environment’s dimensions are associated with the perception of teacher efficacy by students. On one hand, students perceive that efficacy in behavior management is linked to the social learning environment and therefore expect that an efficient teacher in this area will be able to create a healthy relationship with appropriate rules and class organization. On the other, when it comes to preservice teachers, findings seem to show the importance of the training program and how it supports self-efficacy beliefs throughout first teaching experiences as results go in the direction of confirming that these beliefs stabilize fairly early on, because unlike the students, the preservice teachers seem to take other aspects than the learning environment into account while evaluating their self-efficacy regarding behavior management. Finally, this research adds yet another element to the observation that effective behavior management within the classroom requires a positive relationship between teachers and their students. In addition, the way rules and organization are taken into account by students demonstrates the need for a proactive approach in which teachers’ expectations are clear.

     

Was verbinden Museumsbesucher mit Lernen im Museum und in der Schule?

The present study was conducted in the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt am Main and the Landesmuseum Schloß Gottorf in Schleswig. 160 museum visitors were asked about their conceptions of learning in school and learning in a museum. These conceptions generate a persons’ individual concept of learning. It is formed by the influence of the subjectively different experiences each person makes in varying learning situations. Since every learning environment offers different opportunities and possibilities for learning, it can be assumed that there are location-specific concepts of learning. The results of this study show that concepts of learning in school can be differentiated from concepts in a museum; albeit reactive and constructive concepts of learning were found for schools as well as for museums. In addition it was found that different people’s concepts of learning depend on their places of learning.     

Towards expert knowledge? A comparison between a constructivist and a traditional learning environment in the university

This research monograph examines the potential of constructivist learning environments for developing prerequisites of expert knowledge during university studies. Drawing on recent theories of the development of expert knowledge and on the constructivist view of learning, an experiment was conducted in an educational psychology course. The primary purpose of the study was to compare the learning outcomes of students who studied the course material in a constructivist learning environment with those of students who learned it under traditional teaching and studying conditions. Students in the constructivist learning environment acquired more diversified knowledge. In addition, a theory will be presented about what actually changes when conceptual change occurs.     

Factors influencing student perceptions of high-school science laboratory environments

Science laboratory learning has been lauded for decades for its role in fostering positive student attitudes about science and developing students’ interest in science and ability to use equipment. An expanding body of research has demonstrated the significant influence of laboratory environment on student learning. Further research has demonstrated differences in student perceptions based on giftedness. To explore the relationship between giftedness and students’ perceptions of their learning environment, we examined students’ perceptions of their laboratory learning environment in biology courses, including courses designated for high-achieving versus regular-achieving students. In addition, to explore the relationship between students’ perceptions and the extent of their experience with laboratory learning in a particular discipline, we examined students’ perceptions of their laboratory learning environment in first-year biology courses versus elective biology courses that require first-year biology as a prerequisite. We found that students in high-achieving courses had a more favourable perception of all aspects of their learning environment when compared with students in regular courses. In addition, student perceptions of their laboratory appeared to be influenced by the extent of their experience in learning science. Perceptions were consistent amongst regular- and high-achieving students regardless of grade level. In addition, perceptions of students in first year and beyond were consistent regardless of grade level. These findings have critical applications in curriculum development as well as in the classroom. Teachers can use student perceptions of their learning environment to emphasize critical pedagogical approaches and modify other areas that enable enhancement of the science laboratory learning environment.     

内蒙古开放大学视野下数字化学习资源现状与对策研究

建设满足多样化学习需求的多形态、可选择的优质数字化学习资源并形成数字化应用环境,是开放大学学习资源建设中需要研究的重点问题。从内蒙古开放大学建设视角、应用现代学习理念,研究分析了内蒙古地区数字化学习资源建设及使用过程中存在的问题以及各级各类学习者对学习资源的需求等,提出了改进数字化学习资源建设质量,并提高其应用水平的思路与对策。     

Ubiquitous Learning Environment as a Solution to Education Problem

Ubiquitous learning means the intelligent learning environment that enables people to learn using any terminal at any place and at any time no matter what the contents may be.This is different from the existing method of learning the information through the internet or studying at specific place,such as school or library,and so on.People do not need to go to specific place at specific time to access the information that they want,but the learning information finds its way to people,which is the biggest difference from the existing method. Ubiquitous learning aims to solve current problems of education in more creative and learner-oriented way by creating an education environment where learners can learn with any terminal anytime and anywhere without regard to contents.The presentation this time would help promote the understanding of the Ubiquitous and explore the ubiquitous education environment that is capable of solving overall problems of education.In addition,it will propose a direction of ubiquitous learning scenario and the change in the educational environment.     

The Application of an Adaptive Web-Based Learning Environment on Oxidation–Reduction Reactions

The World Wide Web is increasingly being used as a vehicle for flexible learning, where learning is seen to be free from time, geographical, and participation constraints. In addition to flexibility, the Web facilitates student-centered approaches, creating a motivating and active learning environment. The purpose of this study is to set up an adaptive learning environment on Internet and to experiment with the most suitable methods and applications. Our goal is to provide a better solution with regard to the related distance learning research. All the resources and background are from current relevant documents on the theory of asynchronous distance education. We set up an adaptive Internet learning system based on learning theory and related learning models. Our research targets are those students who took the ‘Life Chemistry’ course for the asynchronous distance education environment at Providence University at Taiwan. The students were divided randomly into two groups: the experimental group, which was in an adaptive learning environment and the controlled group, which was in a non-adaptive one. We used the American Chemistry Society Test Bank as our research tool and used SPSS to analyse the data we obtained. Results show that the experimental group in the adaptive learning environment out-performs the controlled group. In addition, those students who are field independent learning types, have higher pre-knowledge, are male, in science departments and have a longer study time span in an adaptive learning environment show much greater achievement levels than those in the opposite situations.     

The Approaches to Learning of Australian Tertiary Students: A Replication

The learning processes of Australian tertiary students were examined in a longitudinal study which replicated that of Watkins and Hattie (1985). In accord with the earlier study, older students and Arts students were more likely to adopt deeper level approaches to learning. In addition it was once again those who most utilised surface level strategies, who disliked their learning environment and/or who had “pathological” learning problems who tended to perform least favourably in their first year courses. However, unlike the earlier study, it appeared that students who remained at ANU to complete their course did tend to change to less superficial learning strategies.     

网络教育研究中的基本问题

网络教育是当前教育技术学研究的重要方向。网络教育理论研究中的三个基本问题是:网络教育中WEB(互联网)的教育技术学本质、媒体对学习的影响、网络学习环境中的学习控制。在网络教育中WEB在本质上是一种学习环境;媒体并不是学习效果的决定性因素,而媒体运用的方法和教与学过程中的媒体策略才是影响学习效果的因素;在网络学习环境中,完全的学习者控制是不适当的,应通过创设有效的认知支架,帮助学习者作出合理的学习决策。     

Learning outdoors or with a computer: the contribution of the learning setting to learning and to environmental perceptions

ABSTRACT

Background: Outdoor learning and computer-based learning are two different alternatives to in-class conventional teacher-centered learning.

Purpose: This study compares the outdoor learning setting with computer-based learning in class. It examines the influence of the two different learning settings on academic achievements, the learning experience, and pro-environmental perceptions.

Sample: A total of 90 elementary school students (third and fourth-grade classes) participated in the study.

Design and methods: The academic knowledge of the study participants was tested through identical exams for both learning settings. In addition, in each group the students’ perceptions were examined by means of a questionnaire about environmental values and the learning experience.

Results: The study demonstrates that academic achievements in the two settings were similar, but the students expressed more enthusiasm about the outdoor learning experience than about in-class learning. In addition, the outdoor learning setting contributed more to promoting positive environmental perceptions even though students did not learn directly about environmental issues and sustainability.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that learning in the natural environment is valuable: Alongside the fostering of computerized learning, it is also important to promoteoutdoor learning settings and integrate both settings by implementing mobile technologies in the outdoor teaching.     

An investigation of attitudes of students and teachers about participating in a context‐aware ubiquitous learning activity

In recent years, digital learning has been converting from e‐learning to m‐learning because of the significant growth of wireless and mobile computing technologies. Students can learn any time and any where with mobile devices. Consequently, context‐aware ubiquitous learning (u‐learning) is emerging as a new research area. It integrates wireless, mobile and context awareness technologies in order to detect the situation of the learners and provide more seamless adaptive support in the learning process. In this paper, a context‐aware u‐learning environment is developed for learning about campus vegetation in elementary schools based on an innovative approach by employing repertory grid method in designing learning content. In addition, we probe the feasibility of context‐aware u‐learning in courses by soliciting feedback from the students and teachers through interviews and questionnaires. The findings reveal that the environment is capable of enhancing students’ motivation and learning effectiveness. Moreover, it is also capable of reducing the teaching load while enabling better control of class order.     

Environments for Lifelong Learning in Senior Centers

ABSTRACT

Senior-center learning opportunities must adapt, as new retirees are better educated than their predecessors. We examined 3 multipurpose senior centers using 120 hours of observations and 30 participant interviews. Variation existed in the ability to maximize synomorphic relationships, where the physical environment supported educational activities. The center with the greatest success had the most active participation. Low participation was noted when multipurpose rooms were utilized, as learning was compromised by distractions. Computer learning thrived in a computer lab, but machines were neglected when located in an employee break room. Successful learning programs fit the environment, in addition to providing volunteerism and empowerment.     

New Learning Environments and Constructivism: The Students’ Perspective

Research into students’ perceptions of their learning environments reveals the impact of these perceptions on the way students cope with these learning environments. Consequently, students’ perceptions affect the results of their learning. This study aims to investigate whether students in a new learning environment (NLE) perceive it to be more constructivist when compared with the perceptions students have of a conventional lecture-based environment. Using a questionnaire consisting of seven key factors of constructivist learning environments, the results show that students in the NLE perceive it to be more constructivist when compared to the perceptions of students in a conventional lecture-based environment. The difference was statistically significant for four of the seven factors. According to the effect size, as measured by the d-index, the difference in perception between the two groups was greatest for the factor ‘conceptual conflicts and dilemmas’. in final form: 31 May 2005     

Testing two path models to explore relationships between students’ experiences of the teaching–learning environment,approaches to learning and academic achievement

The study explores the relationships between students’ experiences of the teaching–learning environment and their approaches to learning, and the effects of these variables on academic achievement. Two three-stage models were tested with structural equation modelling techniques. The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) and the Experiences of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (ETLQ) were used to assess approaches to learning and student’s experiences of the teaching–learning environment, respectively. These two constructs were then used as either first- or second-stage variables within the path analysis. The model using approaches to learning as a mediating variable showed the best fit with our data; variations in our students’ experiences of the teaching–learning environment appear to give rise to their approaches to studying, which subsequently affect their achievement. The deep approach shows no detectable influence on academic achievement in this sample, neither there are any direct effects of experiences of the teaching–learning environment on it. The indirect effects of these experiences on achievement, acting through the strategic and the surface approaches, are related to two aspects of the teaching–learning environment only, namely congruence and coherence in course organisation, and integrative learning and critical thinking. The finding of a reciprocal relation between approaches to learning and experiences of the teaching–learning environment supports previous conclusions about the association between these constructs. The indirect effect of experiences of the teaching–learning environment on achievement, acting through approaches to learning, shows those approaches as a dynamic construct that varies in line with experiences of the teaching-learning environment, and so influences achievement.     

智能学习环境中主体需求冲突及其平衡研究

学习环境承载着学习和学习者需求的表达。学习环境的设计需要在终端用户(学生)和社会利益之间、在传统和创新之间不断平衡。当前以传统学校为代表的学习环境设计忽视终端用户和个体用户的主观需求,过于重视社会效益等客观需求。未来教育的实现和发展需要依托创新型学习环境设计的理论与实践进步。基于智能技术支持,以学习环境重构为引领的学校变革是未来学校发展的必然方向。通过在学习环境中融入适切性智能技术能够平衡学习环境中的人类需求冲突。智能学习环境的需求平衡模型是智能学习环境设计的重要组成部分,包含两个部分:(1)智能学习环境需求平衡解析模型——解析智能技术与学习环境内需求冲突之间的主体关系;(2)需求平衡关注度计算模型——计算学习环境的需求平衡程度,以及智能技术干预之后的学习环境的平衡结果。虽然该模型尚属于“概念型公式”,还需要进一步完善,但其提出为智能时代的学习环境设计,以及学习环境中需求冲突的测量和解决提供了理论指导。     

文化取向的技术哲学:当代学习环境研究方法论的新路向

文化取向的技术哲学为当代学习环境研究取得突破性进展提供了一条方法论上的新路向。它是以人与技术、人与文化的关系为本体,揭示人、技术与文化的本质联系。以此审视学习环境研究,可以看到其存在着突出学习环境的技术性、较少关注学习环境与学习者的内在关联,以及学习环境的"教育内容知识"缺失等问题。形成文化研究视角,进而形成"人—技术—文化"的整体性研究意识,并使用"贯一设计"方法,是当代学习环境研究的发展方向。     

Individual Differences in Patterns of Spontaneous Online Tool Use

More than 400 individuals participated in an experiment involving two versions of a computer-based tutor teaching principles of electricity. We examined the relations among elective tool use, learning environment, outcome, and efficiency. We also tested the influence of both individual differences and learning environment on tool-usage behavior. The data showed no differences between the two learning environments (rule application vs. rule induction) with regard to outcome performance or learning efficiency. In addition, neither environment significantly influenced overall tool use. There was a main effect of tool use on learning outcome, but not on learning time. We categorized learners into four groups, based on tool-usage patterns and found that (a) people tended to show stable patterns across time and (b) that patterns differed significantly in terms of learning outcome—it was most effective to use the online tools earlier in the learning process rather than later. In terms of individual differences, we identified the characteristics of learners who evidenced different tool-usage patterns. They varied according to cognitive ability, domain-related interest, and gender. We propose a causal model that takes into account all of these data sources in predicting posttest performance. The article concludes with implications of these findings for those interested in maximizing instructional effectiveness, as well as suggestions for future research directions.