Abstract
In many cases, classrooms seem to be functioning as well as ever, though the challenges and expectations have changed quite dramatically. This study presents an innovative project-based cloud learning (PBCL) model which integrates various Google services in order to enhance critical thinking abilities in human–computer interface design. To investigate the effectiveness of the proposed SNS collaborative teaching model for HCI design, the one-group pretest–posttest experiment was adopted in a university HCI design course in Taiwan. Participants included 32 technical and vocational university students aged 20–22, all major in information science. The collected data is used to explore the change in students’ critical thinking skills. Additionally, this study also adopts an interview survey to collect qualitative data. There are 11 groups in this course, and the 11 respondents were randomly selected from these groups after the course. The results indicate that the practice of PBCL could help students to develop critical thinking skills rather than disposition. More specifically, the differences of low initial disposition group’s pre-test and post-test of CTD and CTS were significant. The qualitative interview results reveal that experimental subjects hold a positive view on integrating SNS and various Google services to human–computer interface course to enhance project design and critical thinking skills. It implies that the PBCL model is an innovative and practical teaching model to be beneficial to learners with low initial interest. In addition, it helps students deepen impression of learning content and inspire new ideas.



Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bandura, A.: Vicarious processes: a case of no-trial learning. Adv. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 2, 1–55 (1965)
Berman, S.: Thinking in Context: Teaching for Open-Mindedness and Critical Understanding. ASCD, Costa AL (2001)
Binkley, M., Erstad, O., Herman, J., et al.: Defining twenty-first century skills. In: Griffin, P., McGaw, B., Care, E. (eds.) Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills, pp. 17–66. Springer, Netherlands (2012)
Blumenfeld, P.C., Soloway, E., Marx, R.W., Krajcik, J.S., Guzdial, M., Palincsar, A.: Motivating project-based learning: sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educ. Psychol. 26, 369–398 (1991)
Brown, T.: Designers: Think Big. TEDGlobal. http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big.html (2009). Accessed 9 Dec 2013
Cao, Y., Ajjan, H., Hong, P.: Using social media applications for educational outcomes in college teaching: a structural equation analysis. Br. J. Educ. Technol. 44, 581–593 (2013)
Chen, C.C., Huang, T.C.: Learning in a u-Museum: developing a context-aware ubiquitous learning environment. Comput. Educ. 59(3), 873–883 (2012)
Ennis, R.H.: A logical basis for measuring critical thinking skills. Educ. Leadersh. 43, 44–48 (1985)
Ennis, R.H.: A taxonomy of critical thinking dispositions and abilities. In: Baron, J.B., Sternberg, R.J. (eds.) Teaching Thinking Skills: Theory and Practice, pp. 9–26. Freeman, New York (1987)
Facione, P.A.: Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction. Research Findings and Recommendations. http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED315423 (1990)
Faiola, A., Matei, S.A.: Enhancing human–computer interaction design education: teaching affordance design for emerging mobile devices. Int. J. Technol. Des. Educ. 20(3), 239–254 (2010)
George, D., Mallery, P.: SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. 11.0 update, 4th edn. Allyn & Bacon, Boston (2003)
Ghelani, T., Shoolbred, M., McNicol, S., Nankivell, C.: School, home and community: an examination of their impact on children’s resource-based learning. Westminster Stud. Educ. 25, 103–124 (2002)
Giancarlo, C.A., Facione, P.A.: A look across four years at the disposition toward critical thinking among undergraduate students. J. Gen. Educ. 50, 29–55 (2001)
Harding, A., Wood, L., Kaczynski, D.: Evaluation of blended learning: analysis of qualitative data. In: Proceedings of Uniserve Science Blended Learning Symposium, pp. 56–62, 2005
Hewett, T., Baecker, R., Card, S., Carey, T., Gasen, J., Mantei, M., Perlman, G., Strong, G., Verplank, W.: ACM SIGCHI Curricula for Human–Computer Interaction. ACM, New York (1992)
Huang, Y.M.: Exploring the factors that affect the intention to use collaborative technologies: the differing perspectives of sequential/global learners. Australas J. Educ. Tech. 31, 278–292 (2015)
Huang, T.C., Chen, C.C.: Animating civic education: developing a knowledge navigation system using blogging and topic map technology. Educ. Technol. Soc. 16, 79–92 (2013)
Huang, Y.M., Chiu, P.S.: The effectiveness of the meaningful learning based evaluation for different achieving students in a ubiquitous learning context. Comput. Educ. (2015). doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2015.06.009
Huang, Y.M., Chiu, P.S.: The effectiveness of a meaningful learning-based evaluation model for context-aware mobile learning. Br. J. Educ. Technol. 46(2), 437–447 (2015)
Huang, T.C., Huang, Y.M., Yu, F.Y.: Cooperative weblog learning in higher education: its facilitating effects on social interaction, time lag, and cognitive load. Educ. Technol. Soc. 14, 95–106 (2011)
Huang, Y.M., Chen, M.Y., Mo, S.S.: How do we inspire people to contact aboriginal culture with web2.0 technology? Comput. Educ. (2015). doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2015.03.001
John, D.: How We Think. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, New York (1910)
Koutsabasis, P., Vosinakis, S.: Rethinking HCI education for design: problem-based learning and virtual worlds at an HCI design studio. Int. J. Hum.–Comput. Interact. 28(8), 485–499 (2012)
Leader, L., Middleton, J.: From ability to action: technology-integrated instruction for critical thinking dispositions. In: Crawford, C.C., Willis, D.A., Carlsen, R., Gibson, I., McFerrin, K., Price, J., Weber, R. (eds.) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003, pp. 1360–1367. AACE, Chesapeake (2003)
Lee, M.S., Son, Y.E.: A study on the adoption of SNS for smart learning in the “creative activity”. Int. J. Educ. Learn. 3, 1–18 (2012)
López-Pérez, M.V., Pérez-López, M.C., Rodríguez-Ariza, L.: Blended learning in higher education: students’ perceptions and their relation to outcomes. Comput. Educ. 56, 818–826 (2011)
McMorran, C.: Collaborative learning using Google docs and maps. Technol. Pedag. 15, 1–8 (2013)
Norris, S.P., Ennis, R.H.: Evaluating Critical Thinking (Practitioner Guide to Teaching Thinking Series). Midwest Publications, Boise (1989)
Paul, R., Elder, L.: Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River (2001)
Piotrowski, C.M.: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking for Designers. Westford, MA (2011)
Polman, J.L.: Activity Structures for Project-Based Teaching and Learning: Design and Adaptation of Cultural Tools. http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED425057 (1998)
Shakirova, D.M.: Technology for the shaping of college students’ and upper-grade students’ critical thinking. Russ. Educ. Soc. 49, 42–52 (2007)
Shelley, S.C.Y., Ku, H.H.: A study of uses of ICT in primary education through four winning school cases in the Taiwan schools cyberfair. Educ. Technol. Soc. 11, 52–66 (2008)
Swan, K., Shea, P., Fredericksen, E., Pickett, A., Pelz, W., Maher, G.: Building knowledge building communities: consistency, contact and communication in the virtual classroom. J. Educ. Comput. Res. 23, 389–413 (2000)
Tana, T.H., Liua, T.Y., Chang, C.C.: Development and evaluation of an RFID-based ubiquitous learning environment for outdoor learning. Interact. Learn. Environ. 15(3), 253–269 (2007)
Tretten, R., Zachariou, P.: Learning about Project-Based Learning: Self-Assessment Preliminary Report of Results. The Autodesk Foundation, San Rafael (1995)
Ulrich, K.T.: Design: creation of artifacts in society, p.10. Philadelphia (2011)
Vega, V.: Project-Based Learning Research Review. Edutopia. http://www.edutopia.org/pbl-research-learning-outcomes (2012). Accessed 9 Dec 2013
Vickers, R., Field, J., Melakoski, C.: Media culture 2020: collaborative teaching and blended learning using social media and cloud-based technologies. Contemp Educ Technol 6, 62–73 (2015)
Wang, C.S., Huang, Y.M.: Acceptance of cloud services in face-to-face computer-supported collaborative learning: a comparison between single-user mode and multi-user mode. Innov Educ Teach Int (2015). doi:10.1080/14703297.2015.1060134
Wunn, J.S.: Classroom debate: using soft skills to tackle hard content. P21 partnership for 21st century learning. http://www.p21.org/news-events/p21blog/1842-classroom-debate-using-soft-skills-totackle-hard-content. Accessed 13 Feb 2016
Yang, Y.T.C., Chuang, Y.C., Li, L.Y., Tseng, S.S.: A blended learning environment for individualized English listening and speaking integrating critical thinking. Comput. Educ. 63, 285–305 (2013)
Yeh, Y.C.: A study of substitute teachers’ professional knowledge, personal teaching efficacy, and teaching behavior in critical-thinking instruction. J. Chengchi Univ. 78, 55–84 (1999)
Yeh, Y.C.: Nurturing reflective teaching during critical-thinking instruction in a computer simulation program. Comput. Educ. 42, 181–194 (2004)
Yeh, Y.C.: Integrating e-learning into the direct-instruction model to enhance the effectiveness of critical-thinking instruction. Instr. Sci. 37, 185–203 (2009)
Yeh, Y.C.: A co-creation blended KM model for cultivating critical-thinking skills. Comput. Educ. 59, 1317–1327 (2012)
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of China for financially supporting this research under Contract Nos. MOST 103-2511-S-025-001-MY3 and MOST 104-2511-S-025-002-MY3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, TC., Jeng, YL., Hsiao, KL. et al. SNS collaborative learning design: enhancing critical thinking for human–computer interface design. Univ Access Inf Soc 16, 303–312 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-016-0458-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-016-0458-z