Title: Supporting learners in technology-enhanced student-centred learning environments

Authors: Thomas Brush, John Saye

Addresses: Instructional System Technology, Room 2268, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. ' Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA

Abstract: Technology-enhanced student-centred learning environments (TESCLEs) provide learners with computer-based tools and resources to facilitate the completion of problem-based tasks. However, with TESCLEs, technology serves as a support and resource for students in their efforts to solve overarching authentic problems. Student success in these environments may be attributed to the types and amount of support they receive both from the environment and from the teacher. This paper will discuss different methods for providing students with support – defined as hard and soft scaffolding – and will provide examples of how these support structures are embedded into Decision Point! a TESCLE focusing on the African-American civil rights movement that occurred in the USA in the 1960s.

Keywords: scaffolding; student-centred learning; hypermedia; problem-based learning; learning support.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2004.004917

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.191 - 202

Published online: 26 Jul 2004 *

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