Learning to Learn: Lessons from a Collaboration

Indiana University. 755 West Michigan Street UL 1180D, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Tel: 317-274-5647; Fax: 317-278-2360; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.iupui.edu/~josotl

Y

14

Communities of Practice; Group Discussion; Electronic Learning; Online Courses; Educational Benefits; Comparative Analysis; Mixed Methods Research; Computer Mediated Communication; Content Analysis; Transcripts (Written Records); Predictor Variables; Online Surveys; Pretests Posttests; Classroom Techniques; Cooperative Learning; Usability; Intermode Differences; Teaching Methods; Higher Education; Undergraduate Students

1527-9316

E-learning has become one of the primary ways to deliver education around the globe. Research is keeping pace with the use of various techno-aids as educators evaluate how to effectively use these aids in an ever-changing e-classroom. Adding to this body of work, and in assessing the effectiveness of techno-tools, this study evaluates meaningful and deliberative exchanges of online discussions towards building an inclusive online classroom. Unknown to each participant were the gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, course level, and mode of instruction of the other students in the study. These unknowns are important in determining how civically engaged participants are in their discussions with each other. Are they creating dialogue and being reflective irrespective of differing instruction types or levels? A secondary focus of this study, is to provide suggestions in constructing purposefully created online elearning communities. This project's outcomes have important implications in the everdemanding need to design effective online communities.

As Provided

10

2017

EJ1151574