DET portfolio -Mohamad Iman

Topic: A Study of the Effectiveness of Adventure Learning Approach in an Online Environment on B.Ed Students

Author: Iman Fatima G Mohamad

Year: 2008-2009

Abstract:
Online learning is gaining attention of many learners and institutions all over the world. This method is being widely accepted because of a large number of population having internet access. The feasibility and flexibility of online education is attracting many learners to this kind of learning. Online learning environments are preferred by both educators as well as learners because it brings authentic learning experiences into the classroom without the need to leave the school walls.

A new strategy that is being embraced by many instructional designers is ‘Adventure Learning’. Adventure learning (AL) is a strategy which provides students with opportunities to explore real-world issues through authentic learning experiences within collaborative learning environments. AL environments are spaces where the classroom teacher is not a teacher/facilitator/designer, but is a collaborative space where students, teachers, experts and other members of the group interact and transform their learning with each other. This is because the students are not dependent on their teachers for knowledge, but utilize the resources that are present on the web and discuss upon their findings, further leading to transformative learning (Palloff & Pratt, 1999).

Objectives of the research were:

To study the effect of adventure learning in an online environment on B.Ed. Students
To study the opinions of adventure learning on B.Ed students.
To study the opinions of ex – students of psychology on adventure learning.
To study the opinions of Subject Matter Expert of psychology on adventure learning.

For this research study the researcher used the pre – experimental method. In this method the researcher reached to valid conclusions by seeing the effect of the independent variable i.e. the adventure learning strategy on the dependant variable i.e. the achievement tests of the sample. An online environment was selected to study the effectiveness of this research.

Two parallel tests i.e. pre test and post test was administered to the sample before and after the treatment respectively. Opinions and related facts about the effectiveness of the adventure learning strategy on learning were then gathered from all the participants. Three opinionnaires were provided to the different categories of participant’s viz. the students, the past students and the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The data was thus gathered by all the participants and then considered for the research study.
Thus, the research design used by the researcher was of a single group pre test and post test experimental design

This research study has described an experimental study of how the adventure learning strategy can be used in an online environment using an online tool.

The study suggests that depending on the subject that is being taught, the situation and the time constraints in that situation, Adventure Learning can be used successfully as a strategy while teaching students in an online environment. However, extra care should be taken while planning the sessions so that the learners are motivated to learn through experiential and inquiry based learning.

The adventure learning strategy can be successfully used in an online environment so that a tinge of adventurous attitude is developed in the learner to go in depth of a topic and learn from their exploration in the world full of learning resources.