Share Paper: Supporting Instructors in Redesigning Online Instruction Toward Student-Centered, Problem Based Learning

1. Margaret Niess, Oregon State University, United States

Abstract: This study was undertaken to inform the redesign of an introductory Computer Science (CS) course for the online CS post-baccalaureate degree program using a student-centered, problem-based learning approach. The research team guided the instructor in designing instruction that moved through successive refinements towards increasingly complex concepts (Confrey & Maloney, 2010), engaging students in problem-based, student-centered learning. Over three university terms, the research used design-based, iterative examinations to refine the implementation of various instructional actions in the redesigned learning trajectory (Sztajn, Confrey, Wilson, Edgington, 2012). Multiple small groups of students discussed their learning experiences each term, thus providing directions for improvements ...