AUGMENTING A WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH BLENDING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT SERVICES
Keywords:
Web-based learning, dropout, pedagogical service, Web service, formative assessment, SCORMAbstract
Web-based training gained popularity due to pervasive hypertext information systems, as well as its flexibility of time and place. However, the lack of orientation and interactions leads to higher dropout rates in those self-directed learning environments. From the perspectives of learners, formative assessment generates criticism and suggestions that guide them toward ultimate learning goals, which improves their sustaining rates in self-directed learning environments. This research work aims to investigate how a Webbased learning platform can blend external formative assessment services to foster learning activities as well as facilitate interactions between learners and mentors. Besides proposing a conceptual model, a proof-of-concept prototype has been developed, in which both fully-automatic and human-involved formative assessment works could be blended into a self-paced, Web-mediated learning process. An experiment indicated that the prototyped e-learning context did help to sustain learners. The result of this research implies that, with abundant pedagogical Web services in an open framework, high priced elearning resources could be easily shared and flexibly orchestrated to fulfill various educational goals.
Downloads
References
Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, "SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference
Model)," http://www.adlnet.gov/scorm/index.aspx, 2008.
Anane, R., Bordbar, B., Fanyu, D., and Hendley, R. J., "A Web services approach to learning
path composition," in Fifth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies
(ICALT 2005), 2005, pp. 98-102.
Avraamidou, L., "Exploring the Influence of Web-Based Portfolio Development on Learning to
Teach Elementary Science," Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, vol. 11, pp. 415-442,
Black, D., "Live and online: A WBT primer," Training and Development, vol. 52, pp. 34-36,
Black, P. and William, D., "Assessment and Classroom Learning," Assessment in Education:
Principles, Policy & Practice, vol. 5, pp. 7-74, 1998.
Boston, C., "The Concept of Formative Assessment," in Practical Assessment, Research &
Evaluation. vol. 8, 2002.
Brenner, M. R. and Unmehopa, M. R., "Service-oriented architecture and Web services
penetration in next-generation networks," Bell Labs Technical Journal, vol. 12, pp. 147-159,
Brookhart, S. M., "Successful Students' Formative and Summative Uses of Assessment
Information," Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, vol. 8, pp. 153-169, 2001.
Buchanan, T., "The efficacy of a World-Wide Web mediated formative assessment," Journal of
Computer Assisted Learning, vol. 16, pp. 193-200, 2000.
Carr, S., "As distance education comes of age, the challenge is keeping the students," Chronicle
of Higher Education, pp. A39, 2000.
Chang, C.-C., "A study on the evaluation and effectiveness analysis of Web-based learning
portfolio (WBLP)," British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 32, pp. 435-458, 2001.
David, A. and Oleg, B., "On-line programming examinations using Web to teach," in
Proceedings of the 4th annual SIGCSE/SIGCUE ITiCSE conference on Innovation and
technology in computer science education Cracow, Poland: ACM, 1999.
Dettori, G., Forcheri, P., and Ierardi, M. G., "Endowing LOs with a Social Dimension," Lecture
Notes in Computer Science, vol. 4181, pp. 189-202, 2006.
Dodds, P. and Thropp, S. E., "SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition Run-Time Environment (RTE),"
Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative, 2006.
Dustdar, S. and Krämer, B. J., "Introduction to special issue on service oriented computing
(SOC)," ACM Trans. Web, vol. 2, pp. 1-2, 2008.
Goldsmith, D. J., "Enhancing Learning and Assessment through E-Portfolios: A Collaborative
Effort in Connecticut," New Directions for Student Services, vol. 2007, pp. 31-42, 2007.
Hauge, T. E., "Portfolios and ICT as means of professional learning in teacher education," Studies
In Educational Evaluation, vol. 32, pp. 23-36, 2006.
Hewson, D. L. and Hughes, D. C., "Social Processes and Pedagogy in Online Learning," AACE
Journal, vol. 13, pp. 99-125, 2005.
Horton, W., Designing web-based training. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000.
Hu, S.-C. and Chen, I.-C., "The service-oriented approach for conducting web-based instructional
processes: advantages and challenges," British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 39, pp.
-947, 2008.
Joseph, B., "Service oriented architecture (SOA) a new paradigm to implement dynamic ebusiness
solutions," Ubiquity, vol. 7, pp. 1-1, 2006.
Jun, J., "Understanding E-dropout," International Journal on E-Learning, vol. 4, pp. 229-240,
Khalifa, M. and Lam, R., "Web-based learning: Effects on learning process and outcome," IEEE
Transactions on Education, vol. 45, pp. 350-356, 2002.
Knowledgenet, "Who's not e-learning and why," KnowledgeNet News, vol. 2, 2001.
Leh, A., "Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Presence in a Distance Learning
Environment," International Journal of Educational Telecommunications, vol. 7, pp. 109-128,
Levy, Y., "Comparing dropouts and persistence in e-learning courses," Computers & Education,
vol. 48, pp. 185-204, 2007.
Lim, H., Lee, S.-G., and Nam, K., "Validating E-learning factors affecting training effectiveness,"
International Journal of Information Management, vol. 27, pp. 22-35, 2007.
Lombardi, J. and Mccahill, M. P., "Enabling Social Dimensions of Learning Through a
Persistent, Unified, Massively Multi-User, and Self-Organizing Virtual Environment," in the 2nd
International Conference on Creating, Connecting, and Collaborating through Computing,
Kyoto, Japan, 2004, pp. 166-172.
Margaria, T., "Service is in the eyes of the beholder," IEEE Computer, vol. 40, pp. 33-37, 2007.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Principles and standards for school mathematics.
Reston, VA, 2000.
Murphy, H. L., "E-learning put to the test: Companies have learned lessons in online training,"
Crain's Chicago Business, vol. 24, 2001.
Nuldén, U., "Computer support for formative assessment," Information Technology and
Management, vol. 1, pp. 329-250, 2000.
Nunnally, J., Psychometric Theory, 2nd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.
Olofsson, A. D. and Lindberg, J. O., "Whatever Happened to the Social Dimension? Aspects of
Learning in a Distance-based Teacher Training Programme," Education and Information
Technologies, vol. 11, pp. 7-20, 2006.
Patrick, H. and Ryan, A. M., "The Classroom Social Environment and Changes in Adolescents’
Motivation and Engagement During Middle School," American Educational Research Journal,
vol. 38, pp. 437-460, 2001.
Rasheed, F., "Factors Impeding Implementation of Web-Based Distance Learning," AACE
Journal, vol. 15, pp. 315-338, 2007.
Rovai, A. P., "In search of higher persistence rates in distance education online programs," The
Internet and Higher Education, vol. 6, pp. 1-16, 2003.
Sadler, D. R., "Formative assessment and the design of instructional systems," Instructional
Science, vol. 18, pp. 119-144, 1989.
Sajjanhar, A., Hou, J., and Chen, Y. P. P., "Content exploration for e-learning using XML Web
services," in Proceedings of the 2005 International Conference on Active Media Technology,
(AMT 2005). , 2005, p. 266.
Shea, P. J., Pickett, A. M., and Pelz, W. E., "A follow-up investigation of teaching presence in the
SUNY learning network," Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, vol. 7, pp. 61-80, 2003.
Simon, S. and Johnson, S., "Professional Learning Portfolios for Argumentation in School
Science," International Journal of Science Education, vol. 30, pp. 669-688, 2008.
Stina, B., Michael, T. G., Stephen, G. K., and Roberto, T., "PILOT: an interactive tool for
learning and grading," SIGCSE Bull., vol. 32, pp. 139-143, 2000.
Sun Microsystems, I., "Java API for XML Messaging (JAXM).",
http://java.sun.com/j2ee/1.3/docs/tutorial/doc/IntroWS6.html, 2008.
Thelwall, M., "Computer Based Assessment: A versatile educational tool," Computers and
Education, vol. 34, pp. 37-49, 2000.
Towles, D. E., Ellis, J. R., and Spencer, J., "Student persistence in a distance education program:
The effect of faculty-initiated contact," in The 33rd Annual Forum of the Association for
Institutional Research, Chicago, IL., 1993.
Tuvi-Arad, I. and Nachmias, R., "A Study of Web-Based Learning Environments focusing on
Atomic Structure," Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, vol. 22, pp. 225-
, 2003.
Vrasidas, C. and Mcisaac, M. S., "Factor influencing interaction in an online course," The
American Journal of Distance Education, vol. 13, pp. 22-36, 1999.
W3C, "Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).", http://www.w3.org/TR/soap/, 2008.
Wang, K. H., Wang, T. H., Wang, W. L., and Huang, S. C., "Learning styles and formative
assessment strategy: enhancing student achievement in Web-based learning," Journal of
Computer Assisted Learning, vol. 22, pp. 207-217, 2006.
Xenos, M., Pierrakeas, C., and Pintelas, P., "A survey on student dropout rates and dropout
causes concerning the students in the course of informatics of the Hellenic Open University,"
Computers & Education, vol. 39, pp. 361-377, 2002.
Yusuf, P., Debbie, R., Anthony, S., Helena, K., and Simon, M., "Submit! a web-based system for
automatic program critiquing," in Proceedings of the fifth Australasian conference on Computing
education - Volume 20 Adelaide, Australia: Australian Computer Society, Inc., 2003.