Problem-Based Learning and the Design of E-Learning Environments

Abstract

There is tremendous pressure today for faculty in academic environments to use Web-based technologies to deliver online instruction. One reason for such pressure comes from the fact that technology can be an effective tool to deliver online instruction. Regardless of the reason, too often the pressure results in using Web technologies as classroom management tools, such as for e-mail, attendance, and posting syllabi, rather than as an effective online curriculum tool to deliver instruction for courses. These online courses have become known as e-learning, which in its strictest sense covers training, teaching, and learning programs that use networked technologies as the medium of choice to deliver instruction. Unfortunately, a great majority of e-learning sites are designed and developed without much regard for applying pedagogy. The most fundamental step in the design and development of effective e-learning environments is the recognition that they must be based on an effective pedagogical model.