Sabtu, 04 Januari 2014

The Effectiveness of the Distance PBL (Problem Based Learning)

This is my paper in ADTED 470-PennState World Campus (2011)


The Effectiveness of the Distance PBL (Problem Based Learning)
(Antonius Tanan)

Ciputra Entrepreneurship Foundation in Indonesia has been promoting entrepreneurship education for the last 6 years and is currently investigating the possibility to educate people by long distance. The objective of the training is a new venture creation. We train people to be entrepreneurs and not just to know about entrepreneurship. One of our main learning methods is Problem Based Learning (PBL) and this paper wants to seek the effectiveness of the PBL in on-line environment and then compare the Distance PBL with the theory of Transactional Distance.  In my opinion the practice of PBL in my entrepreneurship training shows similarities with the practice in the Distance Education. Both practices demand a more comprehensive and complex preparation before the course, is student centered, by group learning, where teachers are facilitators, and communication between tachers and learners is important, and problems to stimulate learning and problem solving skills and the presence of self-directed learning. Five research papers will be analyzed on the practice of Distance PBL.

Sulaiman (2011) wrote a paper report on the suitability of implementing PBL online in a physics course based on students' perceptions in Malaysia. The research involved 50 students from the School of Science and Technology and from the School of Education and Social Development (pre-service science teachers). The result showed that students had positive responses to the objective of the learning activities. 

Strømsø, Grøttum and Lycke (2007) from the Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo compared activities in digital and F2F (Face To Face) PBL regarding the content of the communication, turn-taking processes and the emergence of learning issues. The results indicated that the use of synchronous communication in Distance PBL might cause restrictions on student communication, especially in elaborating and specifying learning issues.

Jia-Yuh Chen, Meng-Chih Lee, Hong-Shan Lee, Yeou-Chih Wang, Long-Yau Lin, Jen-Hung Yang, (2006) from the Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan did an Online Evaluation of Problem-based Learning (PBL) as a Pilot Study. The online evaluations were mandatory to both students and tutors, and the information was completely anonymous. The survey response rates of the online evaluations ranged from 95.6% to 100%. In summary, at the end of the survey, it showed the online evaluation system for PBL curriculum was valid and reliable. 

Lyn Brodie (2006) a Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland wrote a paper of Problem Based Learning in the Online Environment.  The paper investigated the literature regarding PBL in the online setting. It demonstrates that by appropriate application of both technology and sound teaching, PBL can be successfully used to deliver the required educational outcomes whilst taking advantage of a diverse student profile.

César Correa Arias (2011), from Department of Human Resources Studies, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico wrote a paper of “Autonomous learning as a supporter of curricular experiences - The significance of PBL in on line education”.  He did a research with a focus on the possibilities and restrictions of autonomous learning in on line education.  He related autonomous learning in the context of PBL and he concluded autonomous practices can be survived and promoted in a very schematic educational system of on line education.
The four papers offered positive conclusions on the application of PBL in distance and one paper has concerns on the communication quality difference between Distance PLB an Face to Face PLB but al support the idea.
Moore (2205) stated that “Transactional Distance is the gap of understanding and communication between the teachers and learners caused by geographic distance  that must be bridged through distintive procedures in instructional design and the facilitation of interaction”. There are four key words: transaction, dialogue, course structure and learner autonomy.  The practice of Distance PBL showed that teachers also created and managed transaction, dialogue, course structure and learner autonomy as well and these led me to a new question: Can we teach entrepreneurship in a distance in Indonesia by applying Transactional Distance Theory? There is no practice of distance entrepreneurship training in Indonesia currently, therefore to answer the question I have to create a pilot project, a group of 25-30 people (it is a common numbers of people in a face to face entrepreneurship training). I have to develop objectives, design the course and create measurements for the evaluation.

References

Brodie,L.(2006). Problem Based Learning In The Online Environment – Successfully Using Student Diversity and e-Education. Retrieved from http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2250/1/Brodie_IR7_PV.pdf

César Correa Arias, C.C.(2011). Autonomous learning as a supporter of curricular experiences. The significance of PBL in on line education. Retrieved from

Jia-Yuh Chen, Meng-Chih Lee, Hong-Shan Lee, Yeou-Chih Wang, Long-Yau Lin, Jen-Hung Yang,1MD. (2006). An Online Evaluation of Problem-based Learning (PBL) in Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan – A Pilot Study. Retrieved from

Kenny,R. (2006). Using Problem-based Learning in Online Courses: A New Hope?.
Chapter for Bullen, M. & Janes (Eds.).2006). Making the Transition to E-Learning:
Moore, M.G. and G. Kearsley, (2005). Distance Education: A Systems View. Second Edition, Wadsworth Publishing Co, 136, 141

Savin-Baden,M.(2007). A Practical Guide to Problem-Based Learning Online

Strømsø,H.I, Grøttum,P. Lycke,K.H.(2007). Content and processes in problem-based
learning: a comparison of computer-mediated and face-to-face communication. Retrieved from http://elearn.jku.at/wiki/images/4/45/StGrLy.pdf

Sulaiman, F.(2011). Students' Perceptions on the Suitability of Implementing an
Online Problem-Based Learning in a Physics Course. Retrieved from


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