Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 38 Number 4: Summer 2006

	Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Utah
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 38 Number 4 Summer 2006

Singapore Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Computer-Supported Project Work Classroom Learning Environments

Angela F. L. Wong, Choon-Lang Quek, Shanti Divaharan, Woon-Chia Liu, Jarina Peer, and Michael D. Williams
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Abstract

The computer-supported Project Work classroom learning environment discussed in this paper represents a paradigm shift from teacher-centered to student-centered teaching and learning in Singapore schools. Besides the face-to-face weekly lessons in existing Project Work classrooms, the students engaged in computer-supported online forum discussions. Two hundred and sixty students and 26 teachers from seven high schools participated in this study. Their perceptions of this new learning environment were assessed using a modified version of the Web-based Learning Environment Instrument (WEBLEI). In addition, the instrument was also validated. The WEBLEI exhibited satisfactory internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity. Comparing the actual and preferred perceptions of the students and teachers revealed that there were differences between the actual and preferred perceptions for both students and teachers. With these in mind, the implications for using technology to support the face-toface teaching and learning in Project Work classrooms are discussed in this paper.

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Contributors

Dr. Angela F. L. Wong is an associate professor with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She is also the Associate Dean for Practicum and School Matters in the Foundation Programmes Office. She currently lectures in instructional technology and classroom management modules. Her areas of research interests include learning environments, instructional technology, and practicum-related issues in teacher education.

Dr. Choon-Lang Quek is an assistant professor with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research areas include psychosocial classroom learning environments, interdisciplinary curriculum development and implementation, computer-supported project-based teaching and learning in K–12 schools, and gifted education. (clgquek@nie.edu.sg)

Mrs. Shanti Divaharan is a lecturer with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her main research interests include the socio-cultural factors that affect the integration of Information Technology in the classroom, and classroom management and discipline. (sdivah@nie.edu.sg)

Dr. Woon-Chia Liu is an assistant professor with the Psychological Studies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests include motivation, self-concept, and ability grouping (streaming). (wcliu@nie.edu.sg)

Mrs. Jarina Peer is a teaching fellow with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests include science education, scientific epistemology, community of learners, information technology in education and classroom management and discipline. (jpeer@nie.edu.sg)

Dr. Michael D. Williams is an associate professor with the Learning Sciences and Technologies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His areas of specialization include classroom integration models for ICT, teacher competencies, instructional design, and most recently, models for e-learning systems in school and workplace learning environments. (mdwilli@nie.edu.sg)

Contact

Dr. Angela F. L. Wong
National Institute of Education
Nanyang Technological University
1 Nanyang Walk
Singapore 637616
flawong@nie.edu.sg

Copyright © 2006, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.