Designing for learning with the VLE
This participatory action research project focused on leveraging the virtual learning environment to develop students’ metacognitive skills. These skills are essential for both effective critical thinking and lifelong learning, with evidence suggesting that their development can be nurtured with the correct learning approaches. However, there is still uncertainty about how this is best achieved in blended or online environment with evidence suggesting that students need particular support in this environment. The UCD Fellows undertook a comprehensive literature review and from this created their Metacognition Design Framework to support metacognitive skill development using a hybrid approach of face to face and online learning.
Having designed their framework, the Fellows used a mixed methods approach to explore how students engaged with this approach through three case studies involving modules within the Schools of Veterinary Medicine, School of Information & Communication Studies, and School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. Their quantitative results showed a significant positive impact on student learning, including a significant increase in students’ metacognitive awareness and self-efficacy. Student focus groups and questionnaires further reinforced these findings showing that students valued the approaches used.
In summary:
- This research is highly relevant for teaching and learning in either blended or fully online environments.
- It offers evidence-based practical strategies that can be applied in diverse disciplinary contexts.