A case for constructivism in workplace education : substantiated with the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a collaborative and resource-based web learning environment

Author

Carmel Burke, Institute of Technology, Tralee, Kerry, Ireland.

Date of Award

1-1-2005

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Masters of Science (Research)

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Séamus O'Shea

Abstract

This thesis addresses the role of constructivism in workplace education, where organisations are currently going through a time of great change. The study starts with questioning the suitability of information and communication technology in current web based learning in the workplace. Organisations increasingly require professionals to possess knowledge in a dynamic way in order to deal with change and just-in-time demands. The research is firmly anchored in learning theories as they apply to workplace education and particularly as they apply to collaborative and resource-based web learning. An extensive literature review is produced in order to establish a theoretical starting point for the research. Constructivism and instructivism are reviewed as two poles of learning theory and established design procedures and quality benchmarks for producing a collaborative and resource-based web learning environment are reviewed. A collaborative and resource-based web learning environment is produced at w^.carmelswebb^edlearninqenyirgnment.com. The learning environment adopts established web site design principles and an iterative development process of specifying, building and evaluating is adhered to. An in-depth review of a conventional workplace web learning environment is carried out in order to define web based learning as it exists presently. A comparative analysis is conducted between the collaborative and conventional web learning environments in order to define their learning approaches and examine the shortcomings and benefits of each for soft skill training in the workplace. The web learning environment produced is implemented with a group of learners. The outcomes are analysed and conclusions are drawn with the view to making a worthwhile contribution to research in the field of collaborative and resource-based web learning in workplace education.

Recommended Citation

Burke, Carmel, "A case for constructivism in workplace education : substantiated with the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a collaborative and resource-based web learning environment" (2005). Theses [online].
Available at: https://sword.cit.ie/allthe/588

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess