From a passive information consumer to a critically thinking learner

ABSTRACT

The study examines to what extent a student who is intuitive and comfortable with information consuming becomes a more critically thinking learner. The study was based on connectivism theory, which was applied to planning and executing an introductory course on online learning, with the objective of encouraging students to take an active approach to the collection, organisation and evaluation of web-based information, including emphasis on the giving and receiving of feedback in order to improve learning outcomes. For this study, a unique research instrument (α = 0.922) was developed and validated in order to evaluate how the course influenced students’ attitudes towards online learning. The research tool consisted of 45 statements organised into seven domains. Data were collected from 612 students over a two-year period. Structured telephone interviews were also carried out with 12 randomly selected students to obtain further insight into their attitudes towards online learning. The findings showed that the course produced a considerable improvement in attitude towards online learning in four of seven of the domains tested. However, a withdrawal occurred with regard to the domain of Internet digital learning. The results can be interpreted with reference to the concept of a ‘zone of proximal development’.

KEYWORDS:

• Educational technology
• social learning
• peer feedback
• online learning
• active learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yehuda Peled

Yehuda Peled is a Senior Lecturer and the head of the information studies department at the Western Galilee College, Israel. He holds a PhD in Educational Technology from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology – Haifa. His research interests include the use of collaborative environments in teaching and learning, various aspects of online and F2F academic dishonesty, cyberbullying as well as organisational aspects of technology adoption in education.

David Pundak

Dr David Pundak is a Senior Lecturer in Physics and faculty in Kinneret College (KC) and Head of the E-Learning Unit in ORT Braude College. Dr. Pundak founded the Centre for Science and Astronomy Education at KC. The centre integrates research performed by scientists with inquiry projects conducted by junior-high and senior-high school pupils.

Rivka Weiser-Biton

Dr. Rivka Weiser-Biton is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the Department of Biotechnology in ORT Braude College and National Collegiate Supervisor in the fields of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Environment. Her research areas include teaching and learning and in nutraceutical antioxidants for therapeutic uses.