Students employing problem-based learning (PBL) face complex problems admitting multiple solutions. Knowledge maps are an effective tool to support students in PBL to represent, analyze, and guide their knowledge structure. Previous studies have examined the use of knowledge mapping techniques in both individual and collaborative learning process.…

In recent years, the emphasis on computational thinking (CT) has intensified as an effect of accelerated digitalisation. While most researchers are concentrating on defining CT and developing tools for its instruction and assessment, we focus on the characteristics of computational thinking problems (CTPs) -- activities requiring CT to be…

In this study, a collaborative problem solving-based STEM course was implemented in a seventh-grade class. This study aimed to examine the effects of students' prior knowledge on their CPS-based STEM learning processes by using a mixed-methods approach. First, a lag sequential analysis was used to investigate individual cognitive and metacognitive…

Designing learning and teaching processes in line with technology and contemporary approaches in knowledge societies, in which the twenty-first century skills gain importance, is considered as a necessity for the development of lifelong learners. In order to train individuals equipped with higher order thinking skills such as problem-solving,…

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) provide a rich and immersive context for introducing inquiry-based and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) into science classrooms. MUVES can have a significant effect on learning outcomes, however, illuminating how particular design features interact with those outcomes is an important area of investigation for…

Proponents of problem-based learning suggest that learners should solve problems that are representative of the types of issues that practitioners face. However, this is challenging because novices lack the essential experiences that inform solutions. According to case-based reasoning, one way to overcome this gap is by providing a set of cases…

With increasing class sizes, teachers and facilitators alike hope for learning groups where students work together in self-contained and autonomous ways requiring reduced teacher support. Yet many instructors find the idea of developing independent learning in small groups to be elusive particularly in K-12 settings (Ertmer and Simons in…

Because of the lack of tools available to assess problem-solving skills, teachers often revert to more traditional instructional approaches (e.g. lecture-based, memorization) that fail to prepare learners for the complexity of dynamic work environments. To overcome this challenge, technology solutions are needed that accurately and efficiently…

In the field of mathematic problem-solving, students are often assigned well-structured problems that have specific "right" answers. However, this misses an important aspect of education, which is to allow the learner to investigate the problem-space of authentic problems. To date, various technology scaffolds have been researched to…