Learning to solve problems on the Web: aggregate planning in a business management course

In this paper, we articulate a model for designing learning environments that engage learners in solving problems and can be delivered to learners at a distance via the World Wide Web. These environments include a problem (including representation, context, and manipulation spaces), related cases, information resources, cognitive tools, and collaborative support. We apply this model to an environment on aggregate planning in an operations management course. Students represent the problem, collect resources and experiences, and solve the problem using a spreadsheet, which can be machine scored. Field trials showed that students were challenged, and they liked being able to see the results of their manipulations instantly.