The Construction of Problem-based Learning and Communication Platform

Based on the investigation and survey of the existing communication platforms, aided by modern information technologies, this article constructs the problem-based learning and communication platform with user-friendly interface and straightforward operation. The primary functions of the platform include: user’s questioning and answering, sharing materials and resources related to the problem, releasing new professional knowledge of the industry, the domain-specific categorization of problems etc. The application of the platform achieves the real-time unlimited interaction and exchange between teachers, students and industry experts, inspiring learners motivations and initiative, enhancing learner’s problem-solving capabilities.


The Analysis of the Core Application Model of the Learning and Communication Platform
The PBL model is the problem-based learning in which problem-solving is achieved through learner's search of relevant knowledge or cooperation and discussion with others. PBL learning model is conducive not only to the improvement of learner's problem-solving capabilities, but also to the development of learner's advanced thinking skills and the cultivation of learner's team spirit and teamwork ability.
The platform has at its core problems which are categorized and store according to specific specialty and industry. Learners, teachers and industry experts can raise and answer questions and comment upon or approve of reasonable answers. Besides, teachers and industry experts can release videos, cases relevant to the problem or provide new knowledge, new advancements and new trends in

The Design Principles for the Learning and Communication Platform
This learning and communication platform is the network learning platform synthesizing user's collaboration, resource management and sharing, which also provide services for learner's knowledge exchange, independent learning and social learning, to improve the knowledge level and abilities of learners. The design and development of the platform should adhere to the following principles:

The Principle of Convenient Interaction
The interaction between users and platform requires user-friendly interface and simple manipulated functions, using prompts and guides to enhance accessibility. Moreover, real-time and non-real-time interactive tools are devised to satisfy the communication needs in the interaction between users.

The Principle of Evaluation and Motivation
Evaluation tools are essential to the platform since the evaluation of the questions raised and the corresponding answers is beneficial to the maintenance of a favorable environment in the learning and communication platform, playing a positive role in the regulation and quality of network learning, also enhancing learner's ability to discriminate between entities and concepts. Similarly, motivation is the prerequisite in learning and the necessary measure that facilitates knowledge sharing. Therefore, users should be motivated to raise, answer and evaluate questions, which will be realized via point management and the appropriate incentive mechanism.

The Principle of Dynamicity and Maintainability
The content and theme of the platform varies constantly with user's ever-changing needs and the learning resources need to be updated at any time. The platform should be able to add, delete, modify and integrate resources conveniently, meanwhile, in accordance with user's needs, updating basic elements such as the function module and column setting timely.

The Principle of Openness
The openness of the platform is manifested as the openness of the users in the communication and the openness of resources. The openness of users refers to the different cultural backgrounds of the   Figure 3 is the illustration of the functional structure of the learning and communication platform [5]. After logging in the personal space on the platform, users can browse questions, play videos, get access to data or even collect and store data. Users can also check up their points, the record of their questions, their answers to and review of others' questions, as well as others' review of their own comments and answers. Users can also modify their personal information, reset the favorite interface style, message their friends etc. [6,7]. In the user management module, the administrator has the highest authority, who manage users and administrators at the lower level. The release review module prevent the platform access of harmful videos, questions, answers and materials [8,9]. The classification management module give administrator permission to modify, delete comments and points, or even the questions and materials in the categories of specific disciplines and specialties. The system maintenance module allows system administrator to revise columns and release announcements and notifications etc.

The Design of Reward Mechanism
The registered users who have access to the platform can earn points by raising and answering questions, posting materials. Likewise, users get bonus points through the evaluation of other users' questions and materials. After accumulating points in a given period, users can also redeem different prizes with the system administrator according to the ranking of points and the points will be reset afterwards.

Conclusion
Exploiting modern information technology in the revolution of learning style and the amelioration of learning resources is the inexorable trend in education's future development. The problem-based learning and communication platform acquaints learners with the utilization of tools in creative learning, fully eliciting learner's initiative and exploratory curiosity, thus prompting the development of learner's practice ability, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. The learning and