Towards online delivery of process-oriented guided inquiry learning techniques in information technology courses

Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) is a technique used to teach in large lectures and tutorials. It invokes interaction, team building, learning and interest through highly structured group work. Currently, POGIL has only been implemented in traditional classroom settings where all participants are physically present. However, advances in online learning technologies have prompted increases in the popularity of flexible delivery and distance education courses. Therefore, teaching methodologies need to reflect the changing student demographic. This paper describes a preliminary approach for adapting POGIL techniques for use in tertiary courses delivered online. We discuss the current technologies that can be used for teaching online and contrast their suitability for POGIL. A teaching format is presented using Web 2.0 technologies (a wiki, blogs, and social networking) as a starting point for POGIL. We describe how an online third year Information Technology subject adopted these technologies for a condensed implementation of POGIL