Shifting Sand: Impacts of Technology in Higher Education George Watson [email protected] Department of...

Shifting Sand:Impacts of Technology

in Higher Education

George [email protected]

Department of Physics and AstronomyCollege of Arts & ScienceUniversity of Delaware

The Way It Was... 1973 2002

Computation

graphing calculators,laptops,

gigabytes and gigahertz


Communication

e-mail,voice-mail,chatrooms,

FAX,pagers,

cell phonesinstant messaging,

wireless connectivity


Collections

Online Information:web catalogs,

networked databases,Britannica Online, online newspapers,

course websites,CMS

Teaching and learningin the stormy “seas”:

Computation and Calculation

Communication and Collaboration

Collections and ConnectionsThe Perfect Storm?

Given the amazing advances in technology,

the dramatic change in the first-year experience,

and knowing what we know about our students,

How can we best proceed in our classrooms?

The question before us:

The principal idea behind PBL is…

that the starting pointfor learning should bea problem, a query, or a puzzlethat the learner wishes to solve.(Bould, 1985:13)

One possible answer:

Problem-Based Learning

What is Problem-Based Learning?PBL is an instructional method that challenges students to “learn to learn,” working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real world

problems.

PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning

resources.

What are the common features of PBL?

Learning is initiated by a problem.Problems are based on complex, real-

world situations.Information needed to solve problem is

not initially given. Students identify, find, and use appropriate resources.

Students work in permanent groups.Learning is active, integrated,

cumulative, and connected.

PBL: The Process

Students are presented with a problem. They organize ideas and previous knowledge.

Students pose questions, defining what they know and do not know.

Students assign responsibility for questions, discuss resources.

Students reconvene and explore newly learned information, refine questions.

The Problem-Based Learning Cycle

OverviewProblem, Project, or Assignment

Group Discussion

Research

Group Discussion

Preparation of Group “Product”

Whole Class Discussion

Mini-lecture

The principal idea behind PBL is?

A. PBL challenges students to learn to learn.

B. Learning is initiated by a problem.C. Students work in permanent

groups.Think/ pair/ share

PBL andactive learning

The web andinstructionaltechnology

“Marriage” of PBL and technology

How can technology aid student learning in a PBL course?

How can PBL aid students in using technology to learn?

Web Sites andWeb Pages

Ingredients forwriting problems

Utilizing Online Resources

Inspiration fordesigning problems

Information forsolving problems




Borrowing imagesfrom other sites

Creating imageswith scanners,digital cameras


Background factsfrom networked

databases




Online regionalnewspapers for

local perspective

Internationalnewspapers for

global view

Quack websitesfor “raw”material

Film and TVsites for scriptsand characters



Executing websearches effectively


Evaluating onlineresources critically

Old thinking:The web is full ofmisinformation andbiased representationStay away!

New thinking:Engage and developcritical thinking skills.The Internet Challenge!

SCEN103 at the University of Delaware

http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/

Silicon, Circuits, and the Digital Revolution

http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/

Designed to promote scientific and computer literacy and awareness, SCEN103 gives students an opportunity to leverage their interests in everyday devices and high-tech objects into a study of fundamental science concepts.

Live demonstrations, in-class group explorations of technology applications, and daily work with the Internet are essential elements of SCEN103.

The course:

SCEN103 in Spring 2000 was an Honors colloquium designed to introduce first-year students to some of the science behind high technology.

Broad Course Objectives:

Explain the basic operation of electrical circuits, simple semiconductor devices, and integrated circuits.

Analyze simple electrical circuits to assess their function and effectiveness.

State and describe fundamental scientific principles underlying modern electronic devices.

Identify the contributions of science and technology to everyday life.

A Problem-Based Learning Approach

to Simple Electrical Circuits

Incorporating PBL problems,

Other collaborative exercises, and

Hands-on laboratory exercises.

Crossed Circuits

PBL #1

Energy = power x time

Two roommates argue about perceived use of electrical energy. Who should pay more towards the utility bill?

A San Francisco Treat

PBL #2

Parallel circuits

Household wiring

Power ratings of appliances

Electrical wiring plans are formulated for a building conversion in San Francisco using floorplans from “This Old House”.

Batteries and Bulbs

Lab #3

Series and parallel combinations

Students work from the simplest possible circuit to the challenging circuit on the left and its companion on the right.

Motivation for This Project

Faster, cheaper ‘what if?’ changes.Anywhere, anytime accessibility to ‘lab’.Wireless technology for collaborative

learning.

When hands-on experiences in a physical laboratory are not available, computer simulations are often the next best option.

For some topics, computer simulations can provide an environment for active learning that is just as rewarding as the traditional laboratory.

Implementation of This ProjectJavaScript and Java applets are often

employed to implement computer simulations for learning that can be accessed over the web.

Often overlooked are other software solutions that run from suitably configured web browsers -- Macromedia Flash is one such approach.

We have created a simple circuit simulator written in Flash that provides an interactive experience for introductory students of electricity.

Features of the Circuit Simulator

The current version providesa prototyping workspacedrag-and-drop selection of resistors and

batteriesmultimeters that can be configured to

display current and/or voltage for each circuit element

wire cutters and wire to complete and reconfigure circuits to carry out simulated experiments.

a written and audio introduction to its use.

As initially presented to the students

Running a circuit simulation…

Demonstration

http://www.udel.edu/present/showcase/watson/

http://www.udel.edu/present/showcase/watson

Problem-Based Learning and Physics: Developing problem solving

skills in all students

The problem-based learning (PBL) program initiated at the University for reforming undergraduate science teaching is being expanded beyond the University by the development of instructional models and materials made accessible to faculty worldwide through an online clearinghouse. The project is developing a database of problems, instructional models, evaluation tools, and web-based resources that effectively incorporate PBL across the content framework of introductory undergraduate physics courses. Materials are being collected and reviewed for a wide variety of introductory physics courses, for both science majors and non-science majors, across all levels of instruction and class enrollment. In addition to collecting existing problems and material, the project is implementing problem-writing workshops as an important element in developing the collection of PBL materials needed to cover the different curricula of physics at the college level. Selected clearinghouse problems will also be adapted to the high school setting.

NSF DUE 00-89408 CCLI-EMD

PBL2002 Conferencewww.udel.edu/pbl2002


in Higher Education

Anytime, anyplace simulations

Wireless computing

In-class interactivity

WebCT

www.educue.com

Interactive Student Response Systems

http://www.educue.com/



Advanced and emerging technologies in higher

educationwww.udel.edu/cte/techgrants.htm

Using Palm Pilots to Enhance Student Learning in Telehealth3D Visualization for Macromolecules for Effective Instruction…Use of Internet 2 to Bring Creative Arts into the Classroom Exploring Business Issues and Decision-Making with Videoconferenceing and Electronic Meeting ToolsTimelines, Delivery of Historical Images by Varied DatabasesElectronic Portfolios as a Vehicle for Student Growth ERP Recording for Learning about Cognitive Neuroscience Asynchronous Learning Network Tool for Homework AssignmentsWriting, Structuring, and Designing Information for Screen Display

http://www.udel.edu/cte/techgrants.htm











in Higher Education

Computation and Calculation

Communication and Collaboration

Collections and Connections

Shifting Sand: Impacts of Technology in Higher Education George Watson [email protected] Department of...

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