Problems of Problem-Based Learning: Exploring Meta-Agency in Problem-Based Cybersecurity Learning in College Education

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: Postsecondary Students in Computing and Engineering Education (Table 7)

Abstract

In college cybersecurity education, problem-based learning has been introduced to promote student agency in solving a complex problem. However, a dilemma of balancing the student agency persist and previous research has focused on students’ cognitive, metacognitive, and regulatory to enhance the efficacy of PBL. Given the importance of students’ self-awareness of their agency, this study suggests a concept of meta-agency as an essential learner characteristic that influences the effectiveness of student agency in PBL. Four dimensions of meta-agency, perceptions of productive struggle, expectation alignment between instructor and students, strategies for regulating agency, and familiarity with PBL tasks, were qualitatively explored with student interview data. Features of meta-agency and how students’ meta-agency level develop through cybersecurity PBL sessions were further investigated.

Authors

• Jongchan Park, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Yuli Deng
  Non-Presenting Author

• Garima Agrawal
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ratrapee Inging Techawitthayachinda, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ying-Chih Chen, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Dijiang Huang, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Huan Liu, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author