Design and Implementation of Online Learning Environments

This thesis describes a systematic approach in the design and implementation of online learning environments. This approach incorporates the principles of human learning as well as the best practices in software engineering. This thesis implements a conceptual model for the design, and it describes how software elements can be developed to comply with the model. In the context of this research two online environments are developed and analyzed. The end product of this approach is a robust and reusable software architecture, a framework for design, and an effective and engaging model suited to online learning environments

Design and Implementation of Online Learning Environments

This thesis describes a systematic approach in the design and implementation of online learning environments. This approach incorporates the principles of human learning as well as the best practices in software engineering. This thesis implements a conceptual model for the design, and it describes how software elements can be developed to comply with the model. In the context of this research two online environments are developed and analyzed. The end product of this approach is a robust and reusable software architecture, a framework for design, and an effective and engaging model suited to online learning environments

Design and Implementation of Online Learning Environments

This thesis describes a systematic approach in the design and implementation of online learning environments. This approach incorporates the principles of human learning as well as the best practices in software engineering. This thesis implements a conceptual model for the design, and it describes how software elements can be developed to comply with the model. In the context of this research two online environments are developed and analyzed. The end product of this approach is a robust and reusable software architecture, a framework for design, and an effective and engaging model suited to online learning environments

Instructional Strategies in Diagram-based ITSs: Lessons Learned from Two Tutoring Systems

Unlike text-based input to an intelligent tutoring system, a diagram is perceived as a whole state; the operation sequence is less important. Traditional step-wise coaching is not as appropriate in diagram-based intelligent tutoring systems (DITS). From two previous tutoring systems, StaticsTutor and Thermo Cycle Tutor, we propose cross-domain pedagogical guidelines for DITS. In particular, instruction needs to be mapped to a hierarchical understanding of the diagram, where each level focuses on different characteristics of the drawing. Also, instruction needs to address conceptual knowledge and procedure expertise separately. Some practical suggestions are described to achieve these goals, such as 1) different tolerance for error at different level of evaluation, 2) use of Q&A to resolve diagram ambiguity and 3) early loading of expertise that is important for avoiding difficult-to-fix diagrammatic states

Diagram-based intelligent tutoring systems

This work first presents two implementations of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) on engineering undergraduate-level diagram education: StaticsTutor for free-body diagram and Thermo Cycle Tutor for refrigeration T-v diagram. Initial investigations on several groups of students have shown their educational effectiveness. Unlike text-based input, diagram has some intrinsic challenges that lead it hard to teach. One example is conceptual knowledge is highly interconnected with procedural knowledge. Learned from the two ITSs, we provided some general pedagogical guidelines for the future Diagram-based ITSs. Also, we learned classes can be used as a way of representing geometric shapes in diagrams. Thus, we extended our work to the generality of how the current approach can be applied to other domains. We chose a popular type of diagram, called Block Diagram, which contains geometric objects and lines/arrows in connecting them. We developed a methodology to represent a diagram’s information and an ontology of diagram evaluation processes to diagnose students\u27 diagrams. Our work contributes to the development of Diagram-based ITSs authoring tools

Cognitive Effectiveness of Visual Instructional Design Languages

The introduction of learning technologies into education is making the design of courses and instructional materials an increasingly complex task. Instructional design languages are identified as conceptual tools for achieving more standardized and, at the same time, more creative design solutions, as well as enhancing communication and transparency in the design process. In this article we discuss differences in cognitive aspects of three visual instructional design languages (E²ML, PoEML, coUML), based on user evaluation. Cognitive aspects are of relevance for learning a design language, creating models with it, and understanding models created using it. The findings should enable language constructors to improve the usability of visual instructional design languages in the future. The paper concludes with directions with regard to how future research on visual instructional design languages could strengthen their value and enhance their actual use by educators and designers by synthesizing existing efforts into a unified modeling approach for VIDLs

Assessing the potential benefits of learning about environmental issues through a systems thinking pedagogy

Systems thinking is a fundamental learning methodology in sustainability education and in some K-12 standards-based education systems in the United States. However, there is little research and practical application on the use of systems thinking in environmental education, especially at the elementary level. This thesis uses a case study on climate change to assess whether a pedagogy based on systems thinking can fulfill learning objectives derived from the Illinois Learning Standards for Science (ILSS) and provide further insights and understandings on the subject being studied. Three learning modules on climate change consisting of systems thinking habits of mind, concepts, and tools were taught to fourth grade students from the Chicago area as an informal pilot study. It was determined that a systems thinking approach does yield results that suggest fulfillment of the ILSS. A systems thinking approach is also successful in engaging students, creating a fun and interactive learning environment, and making learning more learner-centered and hands-on. More empirical research on the benefits of systems thinking, especially in elementary education, is needed, in both standards-based education and in environmental education