Developing an Appropriate Design for E-Learning with Web-Mediated Teaching Methods to Enhance Low-Achieving Students’ Computing Skills

Abstract

Vocational education in Taiwan is highly competitive in that it must attract sufficient student enrollment in the environment with a rapidly increasing number of schools. Many students in this context tend to have lower levels of academic achievement, and do not adequately get involved in their schoolwork. Under such constraints but moving toward more practical orientation, the authors conducted five experiments, applying web-mediated problem-based learning (PBL), self-regulated learning (SRL), blended learning (BL), or their combinations to help low-achieving students improve their computing skills. This study further develops appropriate course design and online teaching methods for both teachers and schools. Each of the five studies addressed a different project whose goal was to develop students’ computing skills in online classes. The five studies: (a) provide demonstrations of the effects of web-based PBL and SRL, (b) illustrate how to design and implement web-based PBL and SRL for low-achieving students, (c) provide refined interventions of web-based PBL and SRL based on multiple-phase experiences of real practices and reflections, and (d) demonstrate the effects of BL and the relevant technologies to provide more channels and opportunities for students to review and practice their computing skills.