Pushing the Edges with WebCT: Microworlds, Simulations, and Experiential Learning
Presenter(s) Jeanne Winstead
Abstract Regulatory agencies charged with overseeing compliance in areas such as human subject protection, the humane treatment of animals in research, and bio/environmental hazards may face initial feelings of resistance from new constituents who in the beginning may perceive all the regulatory and procedural requirements as burdensome and even question the need for such measures. Motivation, including how information is presented, ease of access, and ease of use, is a very important issue to consider in such situations. Additionally, the literature on learning suggests that effective strategies for teaching empathy, raising awareness and concern, and affecting attitudinal change (getting people to care) are critical theory, the use of the narrative imagination, experiential learning, case study, role playing, and simulation. Can online line learning environments such as WebCT be used to teach ethics and responsible conduct of research? The author believes that it can and that developing simulations, microworlds, and role playing in WebCT also addresses some issues with motivation - not only with on-line learning in general, but in teaching regulatory and compliance subject areas as well. The author would like to demonstrate a WebCT minicourse set up using elements of simulation, micro-worlds, case-study, and role-playing to teach the Responsible Conduct of Research in the Use of Human Subjects. The minicourse features the famous or rather 'infamous' Tuskegee Syphillis Study. There is also an accompanying Multimedia PowerPoint presentation that could be presented over 2-way video or even in a f2f classroom.
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Last updated: Wednesday, April 16, 2003