|
Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington
College,
and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education |
JRCE, Volume 33, Number 1, Fall
2000
Web-Based
Learning
Environments: Current Pedagogical and Technological
State
David Mioduser, Rafi Nachmias, Orly Lahav, and
Avigail
Oren
Tel-Aviv University
Abstract
The Web is a firmly established, though virtual, reality.
Educators, well aware of the potential of the
technology,
have adopted it for creating new Web-based
learning environments.
This article presents a study of the
characteristics of
Web sites as teaching and learning environments.
The major
questions addressed in this study were:
- What characterizes educational Web sites at
the content,
teaching, learning and communication
levels?
- How do key teaching and learning issues
appearing on
educational Web sites relate to educators’
expectations
from the new technology?
- What can a consideration of the current state
of affairs
teach us about further development and
implementation
of educational Web sites?
To answer these questions we developed a
classification
scheme (the Taxonomy of WBLE); implemented it for
the study
of 436 educational Web sites focusing on
mathematics, science,
and technology learning; and elaborated on
practical implications
of the study’s results. The overall picture
we have
unveiled may sound disappointing, and it can be
summarized
as “one step ahead for the technology, two
steps back
for the pedagogy.” But a thoughtful
discussion of the
results suggests directions for the research and
development
of novel Web-based educational models. Results
indicate
that many educational Web sites are still
predominantly
text-based and do not yet exhibit evidence of
current pedagogical
approaches (e.g., use of inquiry-based activities,
application
of constructivist learning principles, and use of
alternative
evaluation methods). Suggestions for future WBLE
development
are provided.
Web Resources
Note: These links were
valid when
this page was posted. However, the Web is very
volatile,
and ISTE has no control over outside Web sites.
Please let
us know if you find a broken link or if you have
an update
for a link.
Virtual High School: http://vhs.concord.org
World Lecture Hall: www.utexas.edu/world/lecture
WBL Links: www.tau.ac.il/~ktltau/wbl/wbl_data.html
Contributors
David Mioduser is a senior lecturer in the School
of Education
at Tel-Aviv University. He is currently heading
the graduate
program of computer and communication in
education. His
major research areas are learning with information
and communication
technologies (ICT) and technology education.
Rafi Nachmias is a senior lecturer in the School
of Education
at Tel-Aviv University. His major research areas
are Web-based
learning, evaluation of ICT in education, and
integrating
ICT into mathematics and science education.
Orly Lahav is a doctoral student in the School of
Education
at Tel-Aviv University. Her work focuses on ICT
and special
education.
Avigail Oren is an adjunct lecturer in the School
of Education
at Tel-Aviv University. Her major research areas
are learning
within virtual environments and ICT in history
education.
Address: Dr. David Mioduser, School of Education, Tel-Aviv
University, Ramat-Aviv,
Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel; miodu@post.tau.ac.il.
 Download
the full article (PDF, 105 KB, PDF Instructions)
Copyright © 2000, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
| distance learning, Web
site classification and evaluation, Web-based learning environments |
|
