Project Development
Research Project
"Can java programming be taught successfully using electronic (online) problem based learning?"
This question has prompted a research project at University of Dundee’s School of Computing, consisting of several Student team members who are headed by Dr Janet Hughes.
The aim of the project is not to find out whether students could learn to program using problem based learning, or whether they could learn to program via E-Learning, but specifically to see whether problem based Learning can be applied to learning online.
Agile Development
The project has been developed using Agile development techniques. This is commonly used in software projects and it embraces change and evolution throughout the life of the project. The project is headed by a scrum master (Janet Hughes) who holds a daily ‘scum’ meeting
Rough Timeline of the project
June/July- Team formation
- Analysed sister Java course within the University
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Researching:
- PBL
- e-Tutoring
- Using PBL to teach Computing
- Working in Sprints
- Developing Website
- Sample course materials(Java code, pseudocode)
- Guidelines for facilitators and students
- Actual problems to be solved
- Evaluation
Unique Contributions of Team Members
As mentioned the team is student based. There were two students from High School working alongside four University students, each contributing different skills and experiences to the project. The diversity of the team encouraged the user-centred approach as the team contained students who have been through the learning outcomes covered as well as those yet to learn the topics.
Aims for the Project
- Determine if skills in implementing data structures and algorithms in Java can be developed satisfactorily via online problem-based learning
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Develop an online module
- for learning and teaching about implementing data structures and algorithms in Java;
- to support advanced entry into level 3 Applied Computing
Future of the Project
- June – August: research and development of module materials
- September – December: testing and evaluation of materials
- January – March: pilot use of materials with face-to-face facilitation and group meetings
- April: revision of materials; conference paper authoring
- May – June: pilot use of materials with remote users
- June: revision of materials and accreditation of module; conference paper authoring
- July – August: launch of module for advanced entry