Teachers' Collaborative Task Authoring to Help Students Learn a Science Unit

Currently available courseware packages for teaching the work unit may not meet different students’ needs. Also, a single teacher, even with tools, is likely to have difficulties and may need cooperation of other teachers in dealing with students’ problems in the learning unit. This research aims to devise a set of computer based tools to meet the diverse needs of learners to comprehend a science learning unit. A model of computer based tools on the learning unit for developing procedural knowledge to solve work problems was developed together with a set of teacher customization and collaboration tools. The main components, developed and implemented in an integrated manner for both students and teachers, are Student Activity Environment, Curriculum Authoring Center, Global Activity Center and Teacher Collaboration Tools. The framework of supporting students through teachers’ collaborative course authoring, considering the different backgrounds of the students and preferred teaching/learning style of teachers/students, was evaluated with students using two different task regimes. The evaluation studies presented encouraging and promising results.