The Research Of Problem-based Learning (PBL) In The Moodle Environment

PBL, a kind of constructive teaching model, has attracted more and more international attention recently. Along with computer's widespread application in teaching and the Internet technology's development, PBL in network environment becomes the research focus. Based on advanced educational ideology, Moodle, a kind of curriculum management system, obtains many experts and teachers'appreciation relying on its features of open-sources, being free, low-level technical and functional formidable. Using Moodle, the teacher can build the PBL network learning environment as easily as build the building blocks, so as to promote student's exchange, the resource sharing and give students multi-dimensional appraisal.There are mainly two research objectives. On the one hand, to provide a free, easy to install, multi-functional and secure network teaching system for teachers; let schools and teachers construct network learning environment in an economical way and carry out the PBL better. On the other hand, to prove the feasibility and validity of PBL in the Moodle environment after the design and implementation, giving suggestions for PBL in the Moodle environment in the future.There are five parts in the thesis.The first part gives a concrete introduction of research problems, research objectives, significance and the current domestic and foreign research states on the basis of introduction of research background. PBL in network environment has become a research focus in the word. Using Moodle, the popular open-sourced curriculum management system, the teacher can construct the network PBL environment as easily as build the building blocks rather than master the homepage manufacturing technology. After all, to carry out PBL in Moodle environment is a brand new research project, so the related research are few, be it in theoretical or practical aspect. Therefore, this thesis not only enriches the traditional PBL teaching theories, promotes educational and teaching reform, but also gives suggestions for the implementation of PBL in network environment, promotes the development of online PBL.In the second part, the author gives an introduction of some theories related to PBL, such as the definition, characteristics, implementation process and related theories of PBL at first. Under the constructive theory principle, PBL shares the common core idea with the situational cognitive theory and the situational learning theory, which has three characteristics: learner-centered, problem-centered and real problem situation-based. Then the author introduces Moodle's definition, features and main functions and analyzes the feasibility of combining PBL and Moodle together on three levels thinking about their features. On technological level, Moodle has a low threshold. Therefore teachers can achieve the construction and edition of PBL online curriculum conveniently. On the economic level, Moodle is free and will not give schools extra economic burden. On the functional level, Moodle can provide strong supports for every links of PBL.In the third part, the author discusses the design of the whole PBL teaching process in a Moodle environment. Firstly, the author gives an analysis of the three main features of PBL teaching design in a Moodle environment: extensive, dynamic and flexible. Secondly, the author discusses the design of learning environment in PBL in a Moodle environment which is supposed to include the designs of problem situation, learning objectives, learning sources, cognitive tools, and instructional strategies. Thirdly, the author designs the whole learning process model of PBL in a Moodle environment and introduces all the teachers'and students'activities in every steps of the process. Finally, the author probes into learning appraisal of PBL under Moodle environment and mentions some appraisal principles (procedural appraisal; the combination of qualitative and quantitative appraisal) and designs the multi-agent appraisal which includes teacher appraisal, student self-appraisal and inter-intra group appraisal.In the fourth part, after the building of Moodle platform in LAMP environment, the author conducts an empirical study of PBL in a Moodle environment using some contents in Information Technology Foundation curriculum in senior school, analyzes the teaching effects and proves the validity in PBL under Moodle environment. The majority students believe that this kind of teaching model can stimulate their learning enthusiasm and initiation, promote sources sharing and exchange within or between the groups, help students give achievement presentation and raise students'independent learning ability, problems solving ability and cooperative ability. In the end,the thesis gives an analysis of factors influencing the applying of PBL in a Moodle environment and proposal of countermeasures combining with the present educational facts in China.The fifth part summarizes the whole research results and defines the further research direction aiming at the limitations of the present research.