Teaching Quantitative Methods In a Self-Organized Virtual Learning Environment

This proposal seeks to 1) increase the learning tools available in a quantitative methods course classroom, transitioning it to a high-tech, virtual environment, and 2) to redesign the curriculum to embrace a self organized learning environment that pulls students to the threshold of complex issues and allows them to experience self-actualized, liminal moments (Meyer & Land, 2013). This moves beyond hybridization by fully embracing a virtual classroom for learning technical skills – alleviating the demands of oversubscribed labs and effectively doubling class capacity. It also has the potential to allow students to engage in self-organized or self-regulated learning, going at their own pace and allowing for greater attention to be given to those who need it in completing lab assignments.