The present paper presents the planning, implementation, observation and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data of a participatory action research, aiming to study the potential role, value and uses of MOOCs in secondary education. Within the context of this research, a computer programming hybrid MOOC (named PROG15) which combined aspects of both x-and c-MOOCs architecture and pedagogy was designed, implemented and openly provided to Greek Secondary Education students. The MOOC completion rate (xMOOC dimension) was relatively low, but similar to that of typical xMOOCs for adults, while the degree of collaboration with other students and contribution to the course content (the cMOOC dimension) was relatively average. Before their involvement in the MOOC, the participating students recorded particularly high learning expectations from the specific course and from the collaborative learning model it proposed and quite positive views regarding the impact of this new educational tool on secondary education. Their attitude towards these issues was even more positive after their involvement in the MOOC, while their overall experience was particularly positive. The above findings, although they resulted from a comparatively small sample of students for the measures of MOOCs and within a very specific educational context, they form a particularly promising background for the utilization of this new tool in secondary education in general and specifically for the preparation of students for higher education studies, in subjects related to computer programming. Of course, further research and investigation is required on the design, development and implementation of the next generation of MOOCs and the practical and theoretical research outcomes resulted from this research can be a quite valuable input.
Dans cet article nous présentons quelques résultats concernant l’utilisation du logiciel ModelsCreator, dans un cadre de résolution des problèmes, par de petits groupes d’élèves du collège dans des activités de modélisation scientifique. Il s 'agit d 'un logiciel d’apprentissage destiné à permettre aux élèves de créer des modèles, réfléchir sur leur comportement et éventuellement sur leurs limites de validité. ModelsCreator est un environnement ouvert permettant de travailler sur des entités (représentant des objets ) et sur leurs propriétés (représentant des concepts) qui se lient par des relations d’ordre qualitatif semi-quantitatif (expression qualitative des formules mathématiques) ou quantitatif.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.