Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Education
First Advisor
Angela T. Barlow
Second Advisor
Kevin Stoltz
Third Advisor
Carol Livingston
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine if there is a difference between online and face-to-face discussions in terms of quality of responses. The researcher analyzed discussions among teacher candidates enrolled in a web-enhanced undergraduate elementary mathematics methods course. Data was collected through surveys, audio-recordings of face-to-face discussions and asynchronous discussion board transcripts. Transcripts from online and face-to-face discussions were analyzed for evidence of critical thinking using the practical inquiry model (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2001). The researcher found that discussions that utilized the asynchronous discussion board elicited more critical thinking from participants than face-to-face discussions. Also, the data revealed that the discussion prompts used to initiate discussion impacted levels of critical thinking. There was also evidence of fewer off-topic discussions during online interactions. The researcher concluded that additional research is needed to determine the impact of minimum participation expectations on teacher candidates' interactions during discussions. In addition, more research should be conducted to determine the optimal group size to foster critical thinking in both face-to-face and online discussions.
Recommended Citation
James, Julie Stephens, "A Comparison of Online and Face-To-Face Discussions in an Elementary Mathematics Methods Course" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 148.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/148