Outcome Based Learning: A blend of technology and constructivism in student learning' Cathal McHugo,

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Outcome 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
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21st 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

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Teaching 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

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Engaging 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

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OBLL - 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

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OBLL - Methodology Structure
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OBLL Student Benefits

• Student centred learning.
• Learning experience enhancement.
• Student/Peer interaction
• Moodle
• Remote tools
• Collaborative learning environment

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Course 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

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OBLL 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

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OBLL 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

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Conclusions

• 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!

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Questions

• Contact information
• Cathal.McHugo_at_ul.ie