This study aims to examine the difference in students' satisfaction with the Quality Characteristics (QualChar) of the Digital Learning Systems (DLs) with regards to gender and frequency of interaction between students-students and students-teachers. A cross-sectional online quantitative survey was used to collect data from English language…

In this paper, we report on primary-school students' views of their learning experiences when they engaged with mathematical phenomena through apps. The students commented on how they used a range of digital tools within the apps to solve problems, and we consider how the affordances of the mobile technologies, including multi-representation,…

In recent years, a number of models concerning problem solving systems have been put forward. However, many of them stress on technology and neglect the research of problem solving itself, especially the learning mechanism related to problem solving. In this paper, we analyze the learning mechanism of problem solving, and propose that when…

This article considers the problem of peer-producing rich online learning environments, a task that appears techno-socially feasible, but is not without challenge. The author draws on the self-professedly "utopian" approach developed by Baudrillard in "The Mirror of Production", to establish and understand the two key dimensions of leverage…

This comparative study identified the differences between gifted children's offline and online peer feedback within a summer talented writer's workshop. Researchers analyzed ten students' writings for degrees of critical thinking evident in their feedback. Online feedback included students' writings in social writing sites Storybird.com and…

Ethnocentrism is a condition that influences the development of prejudice and stereotypes of one's own ethnic group (the ingroup) towards foreigners (the outgroup) based on a foreigner's ethnic group or background. When left unmonitored in a K-12 environment, ethnocentrism can perpetuate prejudice and stereotypes against certain students in a…

This study investigates how computer mediated communication (CMC) can sustain nourishing and emotionally enriching peer mentoring relations. A peer electronic mentoring program was implemented in an Irish university to facilitate freshmen's transition to college. A sample of 123 participants (42 mentors and 81 mentees) was evaluated with a…

This article reports on the results of a project which used a social network site to support students on a year abroad and foster informal learning, particularly in the area of intercultural communication. The project employed a peer-mentoring structure to solve the problem of role conflict, in which users of these sites may feel some tension as…

This paper discusses the results of a study of the role of the computer in scaffolding pupils' interaction and its effects on the disabled (D) pupils' participation and inclusion in the context of socio-cultural theories and the ideals of inclusive education. The study investigated the interactions of pairs of D and non-disabled (ND) pupils…

Social networking sites (SNS) affordances for persistent interaction, collective generation of knowledge, and formation of peer-based clusters for knowledge sharing render them useful for developing constructivist knowledge environments. However, notwithstanding their academic value, these environments are not necessarily insulated from the…

Previous research studies on how to promote student participation in asynchronous online discussions have largely focused on the role of the instructor or tutor as facilitators. Not many investigated student facilitation. This article reports a qualitative study examining the facilitation techniques used by student facilitators to attract their…

This article presents a qualitative study of the Succeeding in School program, an Internet-based intervention designed to help students reflect on key elements of academic success. The 139 students (10-12 years old) who participated in this study were largely of American Indian heritage and attended an elementary school (K-6) in southeastern North…

This paper examines the affordance of the Danish social networking site Mingler.dk for peer-to-peer learning and development. With inspiration from different theoretical frameworks, the authors argue how learning and development in such social online systems can be conceptualised and analysed. Theoretically the paper defines development in…

Deep cognitive thinking refers to a learner's purposeful and conscious manipulation of ideas toward meaningful learning. Strategies such as journaling/blogging and peer feedback have been found to promote deep thinking. This article reports a research study about the effects of two different blog leader styles on students' deep thinking as…

The online environment represents one of the fastest growing contexts for adult learning. The first online programs resembled electronic versions of old correspondence study programs. As problems of low motivation, alienation, dissatisfaction, and attrition within these programs mounted, practitioners and scholars recommended more emphasis on…