George WatsonIntroduction to PBL at UD and

Web-based Simulations for Active Learning

Josh DukeProblems in Environmental Conflict

Charlene Hamilton and Ann RucinskiUsing Case Studies for Authentic Learning in Dietetics Internship

UD Faculty Showcase:Technology and Active Learning

Learning Technology Consortium

April 18, 2002

Projects supported by Technology Assistance programstaff support sponsored byPRESENT/User Services

Projects reflect strategies of active learningworkshops sponsored by

Institute for Transforming Undergraduate Education

Projects incorporate technology for active learning‘sponsored’ by the University of Delaware

What do the showcase projectshave in common?

What is Problem-Based Learning?

PBL is an instructional method that challenges students to “learn to learn,” working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real world problems.

PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning resources.

The principal idea behind PBL is…

that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”

(Bould, 1985:13)

What are the CommonFeatures of PBL?

Learning is initiated by a problem.Problems are based on complex, real-

world situations.All information needed to solve problem

is not initially given.Students identify, find, and use

appropriate resources.Students work in permanent groups.

PBL: The Process

Students are presented with a problem. They organize ideas and previous knowledge.

Students pose questions, defining what they know and don’t know.

Assign responsibility for questions, discuss resources.

Reconvene, explore newly learned information, refine questions.

The Problem-Based Learning Cycle

OverviewProblem, Project, or Assignment

Group Discussion

Research

Group Discussion

Preparation of Group “Product”

Whole Class Discussion

Mini-lecture

George Watsonghw@udel.edu

Becky Kinney

Web-Based Simulationsfor Active Learning

UD Faculty Showcase

Learning Technology Consortium

April 18, 2002

SCEN103 at the University of Delaware

http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/

Silicon, Circuits, and the Digital Revolution

Designed to promote scientific and computer literacy and awareness, SCEN103 gives students an opportunity to leverage their interests in everyday devices and high-tech objects into a study of fundamental science concepts.

Live demonstrations, in-class group explorations of technology applications, and daily work with the Internet are essential elements of SCEN103.

The course:

SCEN103 in Spring 2000 was an Honors colloquium designed to introduce first-year students to some of the science behind high technology.

link

Broad Course Objectives:

Explain the basic operation of electrical circuits, simple semiconductor devices, and integrated circuits.

Analyze simple electrical circuits to assess their function and effectiveness.

State and describe fundamental scientific principles underlying modern electronic devices.

Identify the contributions of science and technology to everyday life.

link

A Problem-Based Learning Approach

to Simple Electrical Circuits

Incorporating PBL problems,

Other collaborative exercises, and

Hands-on laboratory exercises.

Crossed Circuits

PBL #1

Energy = power x time

Two roommates argue about perceived use of electrical energy. Who should pay more towards the utility bill?

A San Francisco Treat

PBL #2

Parallel circuits

Household wiring

Power ratings of appliances

Electrical wiring plans are formulated for a building conversion in San Francisco using floorplans from “This Old House”.

Batteries and Bulbs

Lab #3

Series and parallel combinations

Students work from the simplest possible circuit to the challenging circuit on the left and its companion on the right.

Motivation for This Project

Faster, cheaper ‘what if?’ changes.Anywhere, anytime accessibility to ‘lab’.Wireless technology for collaborative learning.

When hands-on experiences in a physical laboratory are not available, computer simulations are often the next best option.

For some topics, computer simulations can provide an environment for active learning that is just as rewarding as the traditional laboratory.

Implementation of This Project

JavaScript and Java applets are often employed to implement computer simulations for learning that can be accessed over the web.

Often overlooked are other software solutions that run from suitably configured web browsers -- Macromedia Flash is one such approach.

We have created a simple circuit simulator written in Flash that provides an interactive experience for introductory students of electricity.

Features of the Circuit Simulator

The current version providesa prototyping workspacedrag-and-drop selection of resistors and batteriesmultimeters that can be configured to display

current and/or voltage for each circuit elementwire cutters and wire to complete and

reconfigure circuits to carry out simulated experiments.

a written and audio introduction to its use.

As initially presented to the students

Running a circuit simulation…

Demonstration

http://www.udel.edu/present/showcase/watson/