Title: Training students to solve ill-structured problems in an online learning environment

Authors: Kumar Laxman

Addresses: Faculty of Education, University of Auckland, 74 Epsom Avenue, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach in which students learn about subject content matter in the context of solving a variety of different types of problems. David Jonassen in his design theory examines a typology of different kinds of problems that range from being well-structured to ill-structured. In this paper, we look at a research study on how students can be trained in the skills of digital information search literacy to be able to successfully solve ill-structured problems. Ill-structured problems are complex, multi-faceted and require deeper cognitive processing skills to be deconstructed and tackled. Given the pervasiveness of the internet in schools as a epository of easily accessible electronic information, a training intervention framework based upon inquiry-oriented digital information search skills was proposed and evaluated in this study to inform educators on methodically training their students to become effective ill-structured problem solvers.

Keywords: ill-structured problems; problem solving; online learning; inquiry-based learning; information searching; information retrieval; e-learning; electronic learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2013.058801

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2013 Vol.4 No.2, pp.143 - 159

Received: 26 Jan 2013
Accepted: 25 Apr 2013
Published online: 28 Jun 2014 *

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