This book reports the outcomes of an investigation
into discovering the qualitatively different ways
that students experience of Problem-based learning
(PBL) in virtual space. PBL is increasingly being
used in many fields including engineering
education. At the same time many engineering
education providers are turning to online distance
education. Unfortunately there is a dearth of
research into what constitutes an effective learning
experience for adult learners who undertake PBL
instruction through online distance education. Data
was collected from a course, which adopted the PBL
strategy and was delivered entirely in virtual
space. Students were asked to respond to open-ended
questions designed to elicit their learning
experience. Data was analysed using the
phenomenographical approach. Five qualitatively
different ways of experiencing PBL in virtual space
were discovered. Results indicate that the design of
students online learning experience was responsible
for making students aware of deeper ways of
experiencing PBL in virtual space. The outcomes
imply pedagogical strategies can be devised for
shifting students focus as they engage in virtual
PBL.
into discovering the qualitatively different ways
that students experience of Problem-based learning
(PBL) in virtual space. PBL is increasingly being
used in many fields including engineering
education. At the same time many engineering
education providers are turning to online distance
education. Unfortunately there is a dearth of
research into what constitutes an effective learning
experience for adult learners who undertake PBL
instruction through online distance education. Data
was collected from a course, which adopted the PBL
strategy and was delivered entirely in virtual
space. Students were asked to respond to open-ended
questions designed to elicit their learning
experience. Data was analysed using the
phenomenographical approach. Five qualitatively
different ways of experiencing PBL in virtual space
were discovered. Results indicate that the design of
students online learning experience was responsible
for making students aware of deeper ways of
experiencing PBL in virtual space. The outcomes
imply pedagogical strategies can be devised for
shifting students focus as they engage in virtual
PBL.