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Objectives
of the Work:
The proposed solution to both
of these issues was to incorporate online group work into the course that
a) permitted students across the three sections to interact with others,
b) gave them hands on training in the use of technology, and c) increase
their proficiency and confidence in using that technology. If students
could gain confidence in using online discussion boards, then increased
distance student access to the instructor via discussion boards might be
a viable response to educational environment equality concerns. In addition,
discussion board-based group work may increase student efforts to continue
building online study groups with one another after the conclusion of the
assignment.4
Therefore, the “WebCT Assignment” (name
given for this project) was designed to answer the following questions:
1) Can large classes be trained to use WebCT in online discussion board
work efficiently and successfully? 2) Can student confidence in discussion
board use increase as a function of online group work? 3) Can a single
primary instructor effectively facilitate online discussion board group
work for a large class? 4) Will distance education students believe they
have benefited from online group work experience as much or more than their
face-to-face student peers? 5) What will be the overall level of student
satisfaction with the exercise? 6) Is discussion board-based facilitated
small group work practical for instructors of courses with large enrollments?
Background
Objectives of the Work
The WebCT Assignment
Experimental Design
Facilitation of the Assignment
Grading the Assignment
Results - Student Surveys
Acknowledgements and References
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