EDIT 590Research Proposal

Allison Czapracki LaTanger Gray

Rashmi JainApril 30 2007

Asynchronous Learning

What is your favorite mode of asynchronous learning?

Asynchronous Learning

E-mail

Chat

Blogs

Wikis

Instant Messenger

Discussion Boards

What is your favorite mode of asynchronous learning?

Literature Review

Discussion boards (a.k.a. web forums, bulletin boards, or electronic discussion groups) became prevalent in the mid-1990s as a way for communities to meet and exchange ideas.

There is limited empirical evidence that online learning and asynchronous text-based communications support the higher order forms of learning that university graduates need to develop.

Most educators know why higher order thinking (HOT) is important, but they may not know how to recognize HOT or how to support it through tasks, activities and interventions while teaching face-to-face or online

What is WebCT?

•Virtual learning environment•Home for the following:

•Discussion Boards•Syllabi•Assignments•Resources•Submitting Coursework•Email•Progress•Grades

Research Proposal

Hypothesis:

The use of WebCT discussion boards as a collaborative tool in classrooms helps enhance higher order thinking skills of graduate level students when mastering and understanding course material.

Higher order thinking skills

Research questions

Do students who have taken courses that engage in WebCT discussion board learning activities display the following higher order thinking skills?

– Comprehension

– Application

– Synthesis

Methodology

Based on the literature review

Discusses– The survey instrument– Target Population– Data Analysis techniques

Survey Instrument

Contains 20 questions organized in three sections:– Demographics– Frequency of use of WebCT discussion board– Student perception of learning from

participating in online discussions on a WebCT discussion board

Survey Instrument

Student perception of learning:– Students rate themselves on a Likert scale of

“always” to “never” in various areas of comprehension, application, and synthesis skills.

Surveyed students in Dr. Nada Dabbagh’s EDIT 732: Advanced Instructional Design

Comprehension Skills

Participating in WebCT discussions helped me to:– Compare and contrast different ideas presented

by my peers. – Understand the course material better. – Select and organize my thoughts effectively in

a pressure-free environment.

Application Skills

I applied knowledge and/or skills gained from participating in online discussions to non-classroom situations.

I was able to make connections between discussion board topics and readings/in-class discussions.

My ability to express ideas and thoughts in an asynchronous discussion setting improved.

Synthesis Skills

As a result of participating in a WebCT discussion: – I learned to generalize information from course

material.

– My ability to correlate knowledge from several course-related areas or topics increased.

– I successfully took ideas discussed in class and made fresh, intellectual contributions to the discussion while keeping the discussion focused on the topic.

Target Population

Data Analysis

Statistical software program– Excel, SPSS

Inferential and Descriptive statistics– Would be used to summarize the results

Tables and Charts– Graphical representation

Sample Survey Findings

Most students reported that learning is improving through the use of asynchronous WebCT discussion boards.

Comprehension, application, and synthesis skills aren’t improving evenly.

Usability: half of students found using discussion boards and navigating through the discussion board to be easy.

The Future…

WebCT – merger with BlackBoard

WebCT will continue to be used and supported over the next few years– New version: Blackboard Learning System –

CE Enterprise License, or WebCT CE6

…of WebCT

New discussion board features:– Instructors: can set up blogs for themselves/students– More user friendly– Can be organized more efficiently– Learning module based:

• Student can be sent directly to discussion board topic without searching

– Instructors can link to learning objects in discussion boards

– Wiki feature with Application Pack 2– Students can sign up for their own group discussion

Questions?