A Journey through a design-based research project

This paper discusses how Design-Based Research was utilised to inform the methodological design of a completed project conducted at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. The project focused on the systematic development of an Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) to assist K-12 teachers as they incorporated learning objects into a pedagogically effective learning design – a WebQuest. The paper specifically details the background of the project, the history of Design-Based research, why a Design-Based Research approach was adopted and how the approach was implemented. The paper also includes a discussion about the practical problems, issues and advantages the researchers encountered as they worked through the Design-Based Research process. Finally the paper concludes with a comparison between Reeves’ 2000 Design-Based Research model and his more recent 2006 model.8 page(s