ERIC Number: EJ1101096
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1618-5293
EISSN: N/A
A Qualitative Study on Learning and Teaching with Learning Paths in a Learning Management System
De Smet, Cindy; Valcke, Martin; Schellens, Tammy; De Wever, Bram; Vanderlinde, Ruben
Journal of Social Science Education, v15 n1 p27-37 Spr 2016
This article presents the findings of a qualitative study (carried out between 2011 and 2013) about the adoption and implementation of learning paths within a Learning Management System (LMS). Sixteen secondary school biology teachers of the GO! Network in Flanders (an urbanized region in Belgium) were involved in the study and questioned via semi-structured interviews. Two research questions are addressed: (1) what are the perceived conditions at school and at teacher level affecting the use of learning paths? (2) how are these conditions related to the expected outcomes? Research results show teachers are satisfied with learning paths as an educational tool, but reflect mixed feelings as to the impact on student learning outcomes. Clear barriers are identified at the school and teacher level, thwarting the implementation of learning paths in secondary education. The availability of a reliable and accessible ICT infrastructure, the quality of technical and pedagogical support, teacher professional development and the mastery of teacher Information and Communication Technology competencies, among others, were found to be essential.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Qualitative Research, Integrated Learning Systems, Technology Integration, Secondary School Teachers, Science Teachers, Biology, Semi Structured Interviews, Learning Processes, Information Technology, Professional Development, Barriers, Coding, Teacher Attitudes, Satisfaction, Outcomes of Education, Student Characteristics, Social Sciences
Journal of Social Science Education. Bielefeld University Faculty of Sociology, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany. Tel: +49-521-106-3985; Fax: +49-521-106-153986; e-mail: info@jsse.org; Web site: http://jsse.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/index.php/jsse
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A