Implementing Authentic Tasks in Web-Based Learning Environments
It suggested that if instructors and the designers of web-based learning environments care authentic learning activities for their students that the students will be challenged more. This will cause the students to use the information that they are learning to in order to apply and reinterpret the information for the course work. Authentic learning is defined here as “activities that have the potential to foster meaningful intellectual accomplishment and learning, since authentic learning activities are directly related to students’ real-life experiences (Woo, 2007, p 37).
Two difference case studies are discussed within the article. The outcomes for the cases is quite different. In all of the participants were not able to finish the tasks due to problems within their group, however the groups that did finish when asked how they felt about the tasks they were asked to accomplish and the overall organization of the course, had overall feeling of learning and achievement.
Once the studies were completed there were several different suggestions for creating authentic tasks for online courses that were realized. Some of these suggestions include continually reflecting and revising of course structure, designing complex and open-ended tasks, help students learn from negative experiences, make sure your content makes sense and that you are sending information to the right person before hitting the send button, participate regularly in students’ interaction process, share students’ thoughts and resources, update web site regularly (Woo, 2007 p 42).
Woo, Y, Herrington, J, Agostinho, S, & Reeves, T. C. (2007). Implementing authentic tasks in web-based learning environments. EducasueQuarterly, 3, 36-43.