Learning Through Dialogue: Online Case Studies in Educational Psychology

New Search

Print Abstract

E-mail Abstract

Full Text

Save to My Collections

Export Citation

Paulus, T. & Roberts, G. (2006). Learning Through Dialogue: Online Case Studies in Educational Psychology. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14(4), 731-754. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/6097.

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Journal Information

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education
ISSN 1059-7069
Volume 14, Issue 4, October 2006
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Chesapeake, VA

More Information on JTATE

Authors

Trena Paulus, Gina Roberts, University of Tennessee, USA

Abstract

Case studies are frequently used to prepare preservice teachers through reflection and analysis of classroom situations. Previous research suggests asynchronous online discussions provide more opportunity for reflection and analysis than face to face environments. Online case study discussions of two groups of preservice teacher education students, one more and one less successful, were analyzed through a case study approach with a cross-case comparison. Discussion transcripts were analyzed and triangulated with student self-report data. Members of both groups participated relatively equally and adopted a cooperative approach to the task. The more successful group exchanged more messages and responded to each other. Both groups focused on the task and content, but the more successful group also socialized and engaged in supportive discourse. The more successful group also supported their claims. Neither group challenged each other's initial ideas, nor did they ask many questions. As a result, the opportunity to create meaning together was not fully explored. Findings may be attributed in part to a difference in attitude toward the task itself and the idea of group work in general. Recommendations for the design of online case studies are discussed.

Keywords

• Collaboration
• Instructional Design

Also Read

• Usage Analysis in Learning Systems
• Users’ Attitudes and Perceptions toward Online Social Networking Tools
• Social Networking Tools for Teacher Education
• NTLI Fellows Award Papers Symposium, Part 1
• Social Networks in Education
• Podcasting in the Learning Environment: From Podcasts for the Learning Community, Towards the Integration of Podcasts within the Elementary Learning Environment
• Moodle vs. Facebook: Does using Facebook for Discussions in an Online Course Enhance Perceived Social Presence and Student Interaction?
• The Effect of Social Context on the Reflective Practice of Preservice Science Teachers: Incorporating a Web-Supported Community of Teachers
• Editorial: Examining Social Software in Teacher Education
• Editorial: Online Education: Issues and Research Questions

Tags