An Evaluation of Computer Mediated Communication to Support Group Discussion in Continuing Education

An evaluation of a taught module within a Post-Graduate Master of Education course is reported. Participants on the course were mainly teachers learning for continuing professional development. The evaluation studies the use of ICT to provide flexible learning support. A Virtual Classroom environment was developed using WebCT and within this environment CHAT seminars were used to discuss issues arising from students' pre-reading of set papers. Participation in seminars was evaluated in relation to the quality of both written assignments and collaborative group-work. The evaluation raised the issue of how to increase the participation of some students in on-line CHAT and group-work. Above average participation in the CHAT was accompanied by above average performance in group-work. However, there seemed to be no such relationship between speaking in the CHAT and performing well on the written assignment. From students' questionnaires the main reasons for non-participation in C...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2000
• Where: ETS
• Authors: Rachel M. Pilkington, Catherine L. Bennett, Sarah Vaughan
• Keywords: CHAT Seminars, ETS 2000, Flexible Learning, Flexible Learning Support, Hardware