Educators need insight into what instructional strategies are effective in the online environment, but few researchers have contrasted threaded discussion strategies and measures of student performance using a quantitative approach. Also, the effectiveness of threaded discussion strategies across all student generation groups or between genders is…

Two methods for promoting peer collaboration among students conducting research were examined. Student interaction was structured using either computer-mediated conferencing or the fishbowl technique. Both techniques produced similar levels of student participation. Questionnaire results indicated that the fishbowl technique was perceived as…

Applies results from field and laboratory studies about business usage of electronic meeting systems (EMS) to the classroom setting. Argues that it transforms the classroom from a traditional instructor-centered environment to a student-centered environment in which students participate, participate more equally, and report a highly satisfying…

This paper discusses the effectiveness of small group interaction as opposed to teacher centered instruction. The following procedures are suggested in using this type of class instruction: (1) students are told that the class is not lecture, but one in which they will participate actively; (2) personal data is collected from each student; (3)…

Providing students with the opportunity to establish their own learning goals is an essential factor in stimulating them to assume learning responsibility. Since the experience may be new for students, careful teacher planning for the first day is necessary and includes such preparations as creating a guideline of objectives, arranging the…

This study was designed to supporting teachers on developing teaching norms based on classroom-learning community in which students are willing to engage in discourse. A collaborative team consisting of the researcher and four second-grade teachers were set up. The collaborative community intended to generate norms of acceptable or appropriate…

This study examined the role and participation of facilitators, family members, and friends in the person centered planning process for youth with disabilities. It examined the participation of 10 youth (ages 18-21) with developmental disabilities who took part in Whole Life Planning processes through observation of 34 organizational and planning…

Several attempts by the author to improve his small group teaching sessions are described and their advantages and drawbacks are discussed. Focus is on his preferred approach, which uses a pattern system to enable students to participate in the structuring of the discussion. (Author/JMD)

Two Northfield (Minnesota) high school English teachers taught their students to lead discussions using Paideia seminars. They found that students created quality discussion questions, participated more frequently and with less anxiety in discussions, found meaning in their readings by sharing ideas in small groups, and took control of their own…

Studied whether computer-mediated communication results in more equal participation among students by comparing face-to-face and electronic discussion. Findings reveal a tendency toward more equal participation in the computer mode as well as a pattern of student use of more lexically and syntactically formal language in electronic than in…

Discusses the use of cooperative learning principles in bibliographic instruction at the University of Minnesota. Topics include changing the role of the instructor to relinquish some control and have an open attitude, and increasing student participation and control of the discussion for a more interactive environment. (LRW)

Suggests a classroom strategy to help students learn to analyze and discuss significant issues from history and current policy debates. Describes scored discussions in which small groups of students receive points for participation. Provides an example of a discussion on gold mining. Includes an agenda. Explores uses of scored discussions and…

The present study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of online discussion forum in student learning. A conceptual model based on "theory of online learning" and "media richness theory" was proposed and empirically tested. We extend the current understanding of media richness theory to suggest that use of…