Presented by Kelly SmithEDAE A637

Design of eLearningDr. Andy Page

Investigation of the affect of online discussion forums to support traditional classroom instruction.

Quasi-Experimental Subjects were grouped randomly

3 groupsControlExperimental group 1, andExperimental group 2

Will the discussion forums affect student performance in the areas of; In-class discussion,Reading,Writing,Grammar,Vocabulary, andCritical thinking

The same discussion threads were posted for both experimental groups.

The same discussion points were provided to the control group in the classroom.

All groups use the same assessment instruments.

Control group students spent more out of class time memorizing vocabulary words.

Test scores showed no statistically significant differences.

Scores trended higher in groups with discussion forums.

Group 3 students provided more in depth postings.

Group 2 students scored higher in critical thinking skills.

Group 3 students wrote almost twice as much.

Discussion forums may improve critical thinking skills.

Observations of other skill sets are inconclusive.

Additional study with a larger sample or longer time period may yield better data.

Tianyi Zhang, Tianguang Gao, Gail Ring, Wei Zhang. (2007). Using Online Discussion Forums to Assist a Traditional English Class. International Journal on ELearning, 6(4), 623-643. Retrieved February 22, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. (Document ID: 1381120221).

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