Theme 3: Crossing Interprofessional, Intercultural, and Interpersonal Boundaries in Knowledge Building Shared Resources: Collaboration and New Technologies

A triple scheme of learning support design for scientific discovery learning based on computer simulation: An experimental research Jianwei Zhang, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Poster Abstract In order to exploit the fullest potential of new technologies to transform the paradigm of learning, educational researchers conduct a growing number of researches in collaborative inquiry learning in Web-based environment. This study explored the processes and effectiveness of co-project-based online learning in an undergraduate course, with a focus on the personal and social construction of knowledge and the related learner variables. The data collected through survey and interview demonstrated that: (1) learners have made good uses of online project methods and exhibited positive attitudes toward co-project-based online learning; (2) learners have collected and processed a variety of relevant materials via the Internet, but conducted relatively insufficient communications and discussions within and between learning groups; (3) learners' self-regulated learning ability and computing skills are significantly correlated to learners’ collaborative inquiry behaviours. Effective online collaborative inquiry learning entails the establishment of active online learning communities and the provision of clear task structure and facilitative guidance. These issues need to be taken into account to promote more effective online collaborative inquiry learning in the future.