authors: pilar sancho, javier torrente, baltasar fernández-manjón ? fighting drop-out rates in...

Authors: Pilar Sancho, Javier Torrente, Baltasar Fernández-Manjón

http://www.e-ucm.es

Fighting Drop-out Rates in Engineering Education: Empirical Research regarding the Impact of MUVEs on Students’ Motivation?

E-IED-Summit ,Madrid , 28th – 29th October 2011

Pilar Sancho, Javier Torrente, Baltasar Fernández-Manjón 2/11

Index

Introduction

Description of the instructional framework (NUCLEO) and the prototype (Mare Monstrum)

Two Case Studies of Applying Mare Monstrum in Engineering Education

Discussion of the Results and Conclusions


Discussion of resultsAnd Conclusions

Contents

Introduction & Motivation

NUCLEO (generic framework)

And Mare Monstrum

(specific prototype)

Case Studies

Introduction

MUVEs (Multi User Virtual Environments) are gaining attention for educational purposes E.g., general-purpose MUVEs (Second Life™) and

education-specific (River City™, Quest Atlantis™, Revolution™, etc.).

Most frequently cited arguments in favor of educational MUVEs Digital Natives do not feel attracted by traditional

content MUVEs can enhance the motivation of the students

Question: Do MUVEs really enhance the learning experience in terms ofstudent motivation?



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

NUCLEO: A Bridge Between MUVEs and E-Learning Systems

The use of MUVEs is hindered by some issues MUVEs are difficult to integrate in the learning flow MUVEs work as “black boxes” (it is difficult to know

what’s going on there) so the performance of the students cannot be tracked easily

NUCLEO aims to address those issues by integrating MUVEs in Learning Management Systems (e.g. Moodle™, Sakai™, .LRN™) NUCLEO is a plug-in to be installed on the LMS-side

General ideas behind NUCLEO Background: socio-constructivism, pedagogical

sound approach Uses a Problem-Based Solving (PBL) approach as

the underlying pedagogical trend Small teams try to reach the solution of real-world,

open-ended, ill-structured problems Real course is represented metaphorically using

fantasy



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Mare Monstrum: Fantastic Metaphor

Inhabitants of Dragon Island The Picts The Dark Lords (want

to destroy knowledge)

The Sea Dragons (train the Picts in the weapons of knowledge)

The game simulates a school of warriors trying to get the grade of Dragon Warrior

Sea Dragons

Dragon Warrior Candidate



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Mare Monstrum: Social Interaction

Interaction is carried out following two different schemes to improve motivation, team dynamics Collaboration Competition

Interaction is carried out also at two different levels Individually By group

These mechanics are supported with two main resources Parameters to show social recognition

RankingsPhysical distinctive characteristics according to

achievements Three zones for interaction



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Mare Monstrum: Social Interaction (II)

Global Interaction

Student-tutor Interaction

Group Interaction



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Case Studies

Two case studies in order to test how three aspects of Mare Monstrum affect students’ motivation The role game dynamic of the learning scenario The immersive 3D MUVE scenario The fostering of competition by using social

recognition strategies.



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Applying Mare Monstrum to Engineering Education: Case Study 1 (Description)

Teaching “Programming Fundamentals” to Electronic Engineering Students

Problem Alarmingly increase of drop-out-rates Gradual decrease of students’ grades

Methods: Compare traditional approach (2 years) Vs NUCLEO-based approach (3 years) First year: Traditional approach combining lectures,

lab sessions and a final test. Second year: Prototype 1 (Mundo Nucleo)

Similar to Mare Monstrum but using a 2D GUIUsed by 27 volunteers (from 60)

Third year: Prototype 2 (Mare Monstrum): 56 students.


Applying Mare Monstrum to Engineering Education: Case Study 1 (Results)

Average dropout rate Student satisfaction survey

1st year 2nd year3rd year



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Discussion of the Results

The results depict an increase of students’ motivation Decrease of dropout rates

65% in first year (traditional teaching approach)

9.09% in second year (1st prototype: Mundo Nucleo) – only experimental group

16% in third year (2nd prototype: Mare Monstrum) – all the students

Two case studies in order to test how three aspects of Mare Monstrum affect students’ motivation The role game dynamic of the learning scenario.

95.45% of the students found this motivational.

The immersive 3D MUVE scenario. 56.82% of the students found this

motivational. The fostering of competition by using social

recognition strategies.63.64% of the students found this

motivational.



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Summary and Final Remarks

Fantasy and gaming are powerful motivators… … but immersive 3D multi user interface does not

seem to be as important as the gaming or the learning strategies

Boosting competition using social recognition strategies… works very well for the majority of students while it is counterproductive for a small minority


Thanks for your attention!

Pilar Sancho

[email protected]

Javier Torrente

[email protected] [email protected]

Baltasar Fernández-Manjón

[email protected]

Don’t forget to visit our web-sites!

http://www.e-ucm.eshttp://www.e-ucm.es/projects/NUCLEO/ http://www.e-ucm.es/people/pilar/ http://www.e-ucm.es/people/javier/


Mare Monstrum: Social Interaction (II)

Global Interaction

Student-tutor Interaction

Group Interaction



Contents



And Mare Monstrum


Case Studies

Applying Mare Monstrum to Engineering Education: Case Study 2 (Description)

24 Selected Users and Experts evaluated the system 8 teachers.

Were experts in design and development of e-learning applications

Taught modules of computer programming 16 selected students

Extreme gamers of MMORGs Completed 2 surveys

Satisfaction survey similar to case study 1Measurement of usability of some in-built

collaboration tools


Applying Mare Monstrum to Engineering Education: Case Study 2 (Results)

Students’ opinionStudents' opinion

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

AGREE DISAGREE

The game dynamic ispositive for motivation

Usint a MUVE as userinterface is positive formotivation

The competitiveatmosphere is positive formotivation

Social recognitionelements are positive formotivation

Teachers' opinion

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

AGREE DISAGREE

The game dynamic ispositive for motivation

Usint a MUVE as userinterface is positive formotivation

The competitiveatmosphere is positive formotivation

Social recognitionelements are positive formotivation

Teachers’ opinion


Integration of Multiverse and Moodle

authors: pilar sancho, javier torrente, baltasar fernández-manjón ? fighting drop-out rates in...

Documents