Title: Outcome Based Learning: A blend of technology and constructivism in student learning' Cathal McHugo,
1Outcome Based Learning A blend of technology and
constructivism in student learning. Cathal
McHugo, Timothy Hall, Kevin Johnson .
Educational Media Research Centre, ECE
Department, University of Limerick, Ireland.
ALT-C 2007 Beyond ControlLearning Technology
for the social network generationSeptember 4th
6th , 2007Nottingham, UK
221st Century Industry Demands
- Employers expect more from graduates
- A high technical competence is the accepted norm
- Important Non-technical graduate characteristics
include - Peer collaboration and team building
- Communication and social skills
- Project management capabilities
3Teaching and Learning Challenges
- Poor course completion rates
- Lack of comprehension of core topics
- Students are not self motivated learners
- Students need to be engaged in the learning
process - Employ Learn by doing methodology
4Engaging Students in the Learning Process
- Create a successful blended learning environment
centred around the student - Employ a constructivist approach
- Problem and Enquiry based learning (PEBL)
- LMS - Moodle
- Laboratory based orientation
- Remote Tools
- End result Outcome Based Learning Laboratory -
OBLL
5OBLL - Objectives
- Improve cognitive learning levels
- Knowledge ?Comprehension ? Analysis ? Evaluation
- Improve problem solving skills
- Support deeper learning
- Develop skills to become collaborative learners
or self directed learners - Self-managed learning
6OBLL - Methodology Structure
7OBLL Student Benefits
- Student centred learning.
- Learning experience enhancement.
- Student/Peer interaction
- Moodle
- Remote tools
- Collaborative learning environment
8Course Comparison
- OBLL and predecessor to OBLL
- Comparison drawn over a three year period for
each course - Grades were similar in both courses
- Key finding Retention rate improvement
9OBLL System Evaluation
- Online support and communication is a valued
feature - Administrative capabilities of moodle
- A one stop shop for all course aspects.
- 24 7 access a to course material and project
workarea seen as a major advantage
10OBLL Student Evaluation
- Natural leaders became apparent in the majority
of groups - Can cause issues
- Self orientated group members
- Can cause confliction and confusion
- Improved research methods
- Enhanced working relationship between students
and facilitator - Tutor feedback was a key to OBLL success
11Conclusions
- High level of student participation
- Counteracts the disadvantages of surface learning
- Deeper knowledge and understanding of core topics
- Improved retention rates
- Important to have a well structured and organised
course - There are innovation risks!
12Questions
- Contact information
- Cathal.McHugo_at_ul.ie