Lack of connectivity and sustainability are two common problems in asynchronous online discussions. In this paper, the author proposes that the two problems may have to do with the structure of threaded forums, that is, the design of threaded forums may constrain participants from having well-connected and sustained discussions. A new discussion…

This paper discusses the benefits of a community of practice (CoP) approach to graduate education in engineering and examines guidelines for implementation. Community of practice theory and applications to practice are presented. Journal clubs, groups of faculty and students who meet regularly to discuss literature, are identified as one specific…

The ongoing interpretive case study that the author highlights in this article focused on students' use of online discussion forums within a problem-based inquiry classroom. The focus of inquiry during the year centered on two historical questions: What does it mean to be an American? What is America's place in the world? The participants in this…

In this article, we propose that one way of engaging pre-service and practicing high school Social Studies and English teachers in critical conversations about social class is through the use of life-based literary narratives. By expanding upon Phillion and He's (2004) work around the pedagogical and curricular potential of using life-based…

Despite the fundamental importance of research design processes to educational research projects, research design needs to be more intentional. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether using an online learning resource and engaging in online discussion fostered learners' knowledge about educational research design and facilitated critical…

This study examined online group discussion from students' perspectives to determine what characteristics students identify as meaningful to their online learning. Participants were 142 graduate students in the Southeast. The multiple regression results revealed that quality of online discussion was positively associated with communication media,…

This case study focused on whether women, enrolled in a graduate course, would engage in online debate, and if so, whether their postings would contain traditional elements of argumentation (i.e., argue, elaborate, critique). Content analyses for two debates were performed. For the most part, the overarching messages in both debates were…

An online learning community enables learners to access up-to-date information via the Internet anytime--anywhere because of the ubiquity of the World Wide Web (WWW). Students can also interact with one another during the learning process. Hence, researchers want to determine whether such interaction produces learning synergy in an online learning…

This study explored the differences among online elementary school student groups based on their communication features. Two hundred and ninety-one Taiwanese students, ranging in age from 11 to 12 years old, participated in this study. The students were randomly arranged within-class into three-member groups. Each group was asked to use a…

Web 2.0 technologies, open source software platforms, and mobile applications have transformed teaching and learning of second and foreign languages. Language teaching has transitioned from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach through the use of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and new teaching approaches.…

THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF CHILDREN IN STIMULATING FAMILY USE OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DURING EVENING HOURS WAS STUDIED. FOUR EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE CREATED AMONG TENTH-GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS AND THEIR CLASSES--(1) A DISCUSSION PROCEDURE WAS USED TO STIMULATE VIEWING OF A PUBLIC AFFAIRS SERIES ON THE AREA'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION STATION,…

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS AN EXAMINATION OF THE INTERACTION OF THREE INNOVATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION--(1) TELEVISED INSTRUCTION, (2) INCREASED STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE LEARNING-TEACHING PROCESS, AND (3) INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF RESIDENCE HALLS. DURING EACH SEMESTER OF A 3-YEAR PERIOD, THE LECTURE-DEMONSTRATION…

Many variables relate to the successful functioning of groups, but one that is fundamental is the size of the group. Part 1 of this bibliography includes a selection of studies from small-group research in experimental social psychology. Part 2 of this report represents an attempt at a rigorous review of the feelings of clinicians and counselors…

This guide on group discussion leader training provides for a four session course structured to enable each trainee to practice and be evaluated. Session 1 stresses the nature and uses of discussion, and introduces trainees to role playing. Other sessions concentrate on summarizing and decision making; on group satisfaction or problem solving and…

A complete step-by-step format for using film to enhance discussion groups is presented in this guide. The selection of film and its subsequent incorporation into the discussion are described in detail. Tips on handling discussion problems, working out mechanical details with the projectionist, and making the appropriate physical arrangements are…