Options
Solving ill-structured problems mediated by online- discussion forums: Mass customisation of learning
Citation
Chandrasekaran, R., Tan, A. L., Tan, S. C., & Yeong, F. M. (2019). Solving ill-structured problems mediated by online-discussion forums: Mass customisation of learning. In S. Chew Yi Wei, C. Kah Mun, & A. Alphonso (Eds.), Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) 2019 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 36, pp. 68-75). ASCILITE.
Abstract
To foster students’ learning of critical-thinking skills, we incorporated ill-structured problems in a Human Diseases module for third-year Life Sciences students. Using a problem-solving rubric and working in groups of three, students attempted to solve problems presented to them. We mediated their discussions by asynchronous online discussion forums (AODFs) as part of mass customisation of learning for 40 students where personalised learning was constrained by structure of the module. We examined the quality of students’ discussion, focusing on the feedback group members provided to one another, using an interpreted Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy to code students’ feedback. Our analysis indicated that the students were able to provide uni-structural and multi-structural level in relation to solving an ill-structured problem, even though they are not used to solving ill-structured problems. This indicated that in a mid-size class, while personalised-learning is not always easy, it is possible to mass customise learning for students using common ill-structured problems in a class by mediating problem-solving using student discussions as feedback. However, more can be done to scaffold peer feedback on solving ill-structured problems so that the level of collaborative-learning can be improved in a mass customised model that approaches personalised learning.
Date Issued
December 2, 2019
Description
This paper was published in the 2019 proceedings of the 36TH International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education, ASCILITE 2019: Personalised Learning. Diverse Goals. One Heart, held at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, 2 - 5 December 2019.