Abstract
This paper explored the advantages and disadvantages of in-class online discussion by implementing online discussion in both in- and off-classroom settings for a professional development course, and by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of such practices. Our results showed that the advantages of in-class online discussion are providing more perspectives, equalizing the participation of discussion, promoting cognitive thinking skills and in-depth information processing, and the ease of circulating and archiving files and documents. The disadvantages with in-class online discussion include lack of face-to-face interaction, the necessity to use more time, and the inefficiency accruing from the realization that not all learners will read the online postings. Copyright © 2006 The authors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Learning by effective utilization of technologies: Facilitating intercultural understanding |
| Editors | Riichiro MIZOGUCHI, Pierre DILLENBOURG, Zhiting ZHU |
| Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
| Publisher | IOS Press |
| Pages | 149-156 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781586036874 |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Citation
Chen, W., & Looi, C. K. (2006). Incorporating online discussion in classroom learning: A new strategy. In R. Mizoguchi, P. Dillenbourg, & Z. Zhu (Eds.), Learning by effective utilization of technologies: Facilitating intercultural understanding (pp. 149-156). Amsterdam: IOS Press.Keywords
- Online discussion
- In-class discussion
- Face-to-face instruction