Opportunities for Educational Innovations in Authentic Project-Based Learning: Understanding Instructor Perceived Challenges to Design for Adoption

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Opportunities for Educational Innovations in Authentic Project-Based Learning: Understanding Instructor Perceived Challenges to Design for Adoption
Language: English
Authors: Rees Lewis, Daniel G. (ORCID 0000-0002-0928-3831), Gerber, Elizabeth M., Carlson, Spencer E., Easterday, Matthew W.
Source: Educational Technology Research and Development. Aug 2019 67(4):953-982.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 30
Publication Date: 2019
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: IIS1530833
IIS1320693
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Educational Innovation, Active Learning, Student Projects, Educational Technology, Teacher Attitudes, Adoption (Ideas), Design, Barriers, College Faculty, College Students, Educational Opportunities
DOI: 10.1007/s11423-019-09673-4
ISSN: 1042-1629
Abstract: Authentic project-based learning (APBL) is a highly effective way for instructors to help students learn disciplinary skills, modes of thinking, and collaborative practices by creating solutions to real-world problems for real users and clients. While educational technology innovations can bolster APBL by making a promising but challenging pedagogy more effective, as with many areas of education instructor adoption is slow. Diffusion of innovations theory predicts that instructors will adopt and maintain their use of innovations if innovations are perceived to, and then do, address their challenges. To guide design of future APBL technologies, we interviewed 47 university APBL instructors about their most significant challenges and inductively analyzed the resulting interview transcripts. APBL instructors reported interrelated challenges of: (a) "scoping," sourcing challenges and balancing the needs of the program, students, and clients; (b) "curriculum" preparation, making the curriculum flexible enough for shifting project problems and codify standards to help students understand how to do quality work; (c) providing "assistance" to teams, including monitoring, and delivering assistance; and (d) "coordinating" a range of stakeholders involved in assisting teams, including co-instructors, clients, and students. To support instructor adoption in APBL, educational technology innovators might communicate existing technology, or create technological innovations, that provide: (a) scoping tools for sourcing projects, and forming teams; (b) authoring tools for sharing and remixing of curricular materials; (c) project management tools for team management and monitoring; and (d) coordination software to manage all APBL stakeholders.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1221426
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Authentic project-based learning (APBL) is a highly effective way for instructors to help students learn disciplinary skills, modes of thinking, and collaborative practices by creating solutions to real-world problems for real users and clients. While educational technology innovations can bolster APBL by making a promising but challenging pedagogy more effective, as with many areas of education instructor adoption is slow. Diffusion of innovations theory predicts that instructors will adopt and maintain their use of innovations if innovations are perceived to, and then do, address their challenges. To guide design of future APBL technologies, we interviewed 47 university APBL instructors about their most significant challenges and inductively analyzed the resulting interview transcripts. APBL instructors reported interrelated challenges of: (a) "scoping," sourcing challenges and balancing the needs of the program, students, and clients; (b) "curriculum" preparation, making the curriculum flexible enough for shifting project problems and codify standards to help students understand how to do quality work; (c) providing "assistance" to teams, including monitoring, and delivering assistance; and (d) "coordinating" a range of stakeholders involved in assisting teams, including co-instructors, clients, and students. To support instructor adoption in APBL, educational technology innovators might communicate existing technology, or create technological innovations, that provide: (a) scoping tools for sourcing projects, and forming teams; (b) authoring tools for sharing and remixing of curricular materials; (c) project management tools for team management and monitoring; and (d) coordination software to manage all APBL stakeholders.
ISSN:1042-1629
DOI:10.1007/s11423-019-09673-4