A study of the impact of collaborative problem-solving strategies on students’ performance of simulation-based learning

Hsin-Ke Lu and Peng-Chun Lin

Abstract

The continued development of the Internethas caused theconceptsof network infrastructureandsimple network troubleshootingtobecomeimportant teaching objectives of certaincollege curricula. However, the abstractnature of network conceptsand the high cost of equipment for network-related practice have become educational challengesfor teachers in therelevant fields. Therefore,simulationlearning andsimulationlearningsoftwarehave become major instructional toolstoassist teachers. Unfortunately,most simulationlearning softwareis individually manipulated, which maycause feelings ofisolationamong studentsduring the course oflearning. Therefore, in this study, aquasi-experimentalapproach was utilized toinvestigatehowteaching strategies for simulationlearning andfor integrating simulationlearning withcollaborativeproblem solving(CPS)impactedlearning outcomes.Assessments by one-wayanalysis of covariance revealed that the post-testscoreswere significantly better in the experimental groupthan inthe controlgroup, suggesting that the integratededucational activitieswere beneficialtostudents'learning.The resultsof this studycan serve as a referencefor teachersinrelevant fieldswith respect to designingeducational activities that canhelp studentslearnmore effectively andimprove students’ teamwork abilities.