The effectiveness of on-line discussions for preparing students for a Paideia Seminar

ISSN： 1475-939X

Source： Technology, Pedagogy and Education, Vol.22, Iss.2, 2013-07, pp. : 173-191

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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of an on-line discussion on the nature of students' patterns of interaction and the cognitive complexity of these discussions during asynchronous discussions (on-line) as a means of preparation for a Paideia Seminar (face-to-face discussion). The study was conducted in 12 experimental classrooms and 12 control classrooms across six schools (ages 11-13) of varying socioeconomic groups. Results show that the experimental group increased in student-to-student initiated discussions and in their complexity of discourse for both the on-line discussions and the Paideia Seminars. These gains were greater for mid/high than low socioeconomic students. This study suggests that the intervention of the on-line discussions did have a significant impact on the complexity of the discussions during a face-to-face Paideia Seminar, and thus makes this method more accessible to other teachers.