The digital Dalton Plan: Progressive education as integral part of web-based learning environments

Abstract

e-Learning systems increasingly support learning management and self-organized learning processes. Since the latter have been studied in the field of progressive education extensively, it is worthwhile to consider them for developing digital learning environments to support self-regulated learning processes. In this paper we aim at transforming one of the most prominent and sustainable approaches to self-organized learning, the “Dalton Plan” as proposed by Helen Parkhurst. Its assignment structure supports learners when managing their learning tasks, thus triggering self-organized acquisition of knowledge, and its feedback graphs enable transparent learning processes. Since e-learning environments have become common use, rather than creating another system, we propose a modular approach that can be used for extending existing e-learning environments. In order to design a respective component, we interviewed experts in self-organized e-learning. Their input facilitated integrating the Dalton Plan with existing features of e-learning environments. After representing each interview in concept maps, we were able to aggregate them for deriving e-learning requirements conform to the Dalton Plan instruments. In the course of implementing them, particular attention had to be paid to the asynchrony of interaction during runtime. Java Server Faces technology enable the Dalton Plan component to be migrated into existing web 2.0 e-learning platforms. The result was evaluated based on the acquired concept maps, as they also captured the transformation process of the Dalton Plan to e-learning features. The findings encourage embodying further progressive education approaches in this way, since the structured (concept) mapping of the Dalton Plan to e-learning features turned out to be accurate. The experts were able to recognize the potential of the approach both in terms of structuring the knowledge acquisition process, and in terms of developing progressive learning support features.

E-Learning in a Postmodern Society

“…Table 1 shows the stages of designing e-courses that precede their introduction into the educational environment. Current didactic principles of e-learning, substantiated in the studies of Tovar and Piedra (2014), Weichhart et al (2018), and others are summarized in Table 2. Consideration of pedagogical expediency in the process of designing electronic courses mandatory assessment of the need to create an electronic course and analysis of its possible effectiveness, theoretical concept, didactic model of the phenomenon under study, which will be implemented in electronic format…”

Personalized Computer Support of Performance Rates and Education Process in High School: Case Study of Engineering Students

“…The idea of personalization in learning can be traced back to the XIX century when Helen Parkhurst created the Dalton plan. According to this plan, each student could program the curriculum to meet his/her needs, interests, and abilities, thereby promoting independence and reliability, improving social skills and a sense of responsibility [9]. Since then, the idea of education personalization has evolved, but still, no single definition of this concept exists.…”

Impact of Internet Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning on Satisfaction and Academic Achievement in Online Learning: A Case Study in Vietnam

“…Despite certain stated downsides such as limited social interaction, a sense of isolation, and insufficient tutorial supervision, [1], online learning has grown widespread in education at all levels, especially at tertiary education level [2], and was predicted to become dominant by 2025 [3]. One of the primary benefits of online learning over traditional classroom-based learning is its versatility in terms of time and place [4], while still retaining its effectiveness and efficiency [5]. The unexpected prolonged expansion of the Covid-19 pandemic has urged numerous educational institutions worldwide, including Vietnam, to offer more online courses and employ online learning platforms such as Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and others to provide education for students.…”