Authors:
E. Marcia Johnson
;
Elaine Khoo
;
Bronwen Cowie
;
Willem de Lange
and
Rob Torrens
Affiliation:
The University of Waikato, New Zealand
Keyword(s):
ICT, eLearning, Visual spatial thinking, University science teaching, Scholarship of teaching.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Blended Learning
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
Educating the Educators
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Tactics and Strategies
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Pedagogy Enhancement with e-Learning
Abstract:
This paper reports on two case studies (in Earth and Ocean Sciences and Engineering) that explored the potential of ICT/ eLearning in first-year university courses. Findings from the research supported the value of adopting three dimensional visualization software and eLearning tools to scaffold students’ emergent visual spatial thinking and conceptual understanding. However, some constraints, which limited the potential of the ICT/ eLearning approaches, were also identified. The research contributes to increased understanding of appropriate conditions for the planning and application of ICT/ eLearning tools to bridge students’ conceptual, visual, and spatial thinking in university-level science teaching.