Fostering a personal sequence of learning activities in Skill Circuits

Abstract

This report holds a subset of an integrated
thesis involving the development and testing of an educational tool named
”Playlist,” aimed at improving the learning experience of Computer Science
& Engineering bachelor students at the TU Delft. The Playlist tool was
developed as a feature for the existing tool called Skill Circuits, supporting
students in creating personalized sequences of learning activities for their
study sessions. The integrated research contributes to the complexities of
modern digital learning environments and the challenges students face in
navigating vast amounts of educational content. 
The study uses a design-based research approach, which involves
iterative development and research cycles and including students in the
evaluation phases. This report focuses on the description and design of these
phases. For each phase, it then reports on how the design of the Playlist tool
utilized user feedback gathered through surveys and focus group sessions with
Computer Science students.  Key findings
in the integrated thesis indicate that playlists can improve student
engagement, motivation, and overall learning experience by supporting students
in finding learning activities aligned with their learning preferences and
goals. The research highlights the importance of providing students with tools that
improve navigating the learning environment and support them in self-directed
learning. The Playlist feature not only aids students in organizing their
learning activities but also promotes a holistic approach to education by
incorporating supporting activities such as reflection and taking breaks.  The integrated thesis makes two
contributions: it serves as an example of the design and implementation of
personalization tools in higher education and provides insights into
integrating such tools into an existing educational system. The thesis aims to
demonstrate the potential of designing tools in an iterative manner to
personalize learning and support students in achieving their learning goals.