The Design Of Web-Based Learning Environment

The main purpose of this thesis is to illuminate the essence and characteristics of Web-Based Learning Environment (WBLE), establish a design model of WBLE, develop a dynamic system of WBLE that supports collaborative learning, and promote the development of theory and practice in web-based learning.In chapter one, we discussed the research background of WBLE, and summarized the current research status of web-based instruction.In chapter two, we discussed the definition, composition, characteristics and the design principle of WBLE, put forward a design model of WBLE-WebLED (web-based learning environment design).WBLE is the space and condition on which web-based teaching and learning depend to exist and develop. WBLE is composed of hardware environment, resource environment and culture environment. It has such characteristics as environment opening, resources sharing, zero-timed and zero-spaced learning, and mutiple human intercourse. The design of WBLE should follow active, social, and situational principle.The design model of WBLE-WebLED is composed of two levels, namely learning support system and system strategy. WebLED provides a basic frame for the development of learning environment based on web.Learning support system is the material foundation of WebLED. It includes six essential elements: instructional management system, intelligent instruction system, resources management system, learning evaluation system, communicated and cooperated system, and learning tools system.System s trategy i s t he c ore o f WebLED. It i ncludes four e ssential e lements: motive strategy, instructional strategy, controlled strategy, evaluating strategy. Motive strategy encourages and maintains the learning motive of students by means of controlling the environment motive variables that are controllable. These controllable variables include: the factor of presentation, the factor of expectation, the factor of task, the factor of participation, the factor of cooperation, the factor of guidance, the factor of encouragement. Instructional strategy is the procedure and method that arrange all elements in learning environment to support effective learning. The instructional strategies that are applicable to WBLE include: the strategy of anchoring, the strategy of random entering, the strategy of scaffolding, the strategy of heuristics, the strategy of quest, the strategy of reflection. Controlled strategyusually is sorted into teacher control, learner control, and program control. The controlled strategy in web learning environment should follow the principle that combines learner control, teacher control, and procedure control together. Evaluating strategy in web learning environment adopts the evaluating method of facing learning process. The evaluating method of facing learning process include: performance assessment, electronic file, portfolios, self-evaluation or mutual-evaluation questionnaires.In chapter 3, we discussed the design of Web-Based Collaborative Learning Environment (WBCLE), introduced the WebCLE system design and development, and introduced its application in instruction through an illustration of a learning task in the course of Web-Based Instructional Software Development.On the basis of the WebLED model, in order to further realize collaborative learning, we must provide collaborative mechanism. Corresponding to the basic collaborative learning process which is "defining learning objective → dividing into groups → preparing for collaborative learning →proceeding collaborative learning→ evaluating collaborative learning", we can provide collaborative mechanism in such five aspects as learning task design, grouping strategy design, collaborative space design, collaborative learning strategy design, collaborative learning evaluation design.The WebCLE system is a web-leaming environment that supports collaborative learning from all aspects. Its main functions include: supporting the design of learning task, supporting the design of grouping strategy, providing collaborative l...