Erin McClung

Spring, 2011

The Effects of using Discussion Boards in a High School

English Classroom

This action research project studied the effects of using online discussion boards versus face-to-face discussions in an eleventh grade language arts classroom in order to examine themes in American literature. It found benefits to both using online discussions and face-to-face discussions. The research proves that to be highly effective, the teacher should use a mix of both online discussions and face-to-face discussions.

Abstract

Methodology1. Students complete previous unit using only

face-to-face discussions, and take post-test to be used as research pre-test

2. Students read American literature in class an complete an online discussion board every week for seven weeks in relationship to the themes they see in the literature.

3. Students complete post-assessment to see student achievement growth with exploring themes in literature.

ResultsStudents showed significant improvement

from pre-test to post-testAll but one student improved their scoresHighest gain score is 18%

Students showed an increase in the effectiveness of using online discussion boards

Results

Before Survey After Survey

Online class discussions are...0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Extremely effectiveSometimes effectiveOften ineffectiveAlmost always in-effective

Using online discussion boards proved effective in helping students with exploring and explaining themes in literature.

While using online discussions proved effective with this piece of literature and these students, further research would need to be conducted in order to determine if it is effective with a wider group of students and with different literature.

The research proves that students feel more comfortable using online discussion boards, compared to face-to-face discussions.

The research proves that the most effective way would be for teachers to use a combination of face-to-face and online discussions to find the highest success.

Conclusions

Aggarwal, A., & Bento, R. (2002). Web-based instruction. In Web-based instructional learning      (pp. 59-62). Retrieved from http://books.google.com.proxy.wichita.edu/books?hl=en&lr=&id=drNk0PnlKcMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA59&dq=discussion+web+in+education&ots=lO-AbI#v=onepage&q=discussion%20web%20in%20education&f=false     

Applebee, A. N., Langer, J. A., Nystrand, M., & Gamoran, A. (2003, September 21). Discussion-based approaches to developing understanding: classroom  instruction and student performance in middle and high school english.   American Educational Research Journal, 40(3), 685-730. Retrieved from  http://aer.sagepub.com/content/40/3/685.abstract   

 

Godwin-Jones, R. (2003, May). Emerging technologies: blogs and wikis environments for on-line collaboration. Language, Learning, and Technology, 7(2), 12-16. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/vol7num2/emerging/  default.html

Kim, H. K., & Bateman, B. (2010). Student participation patterns in online discussion: incorporating constructivist discussion into online courses.      International Journal on E-Learning, 9(1), 79-98. Abstract retrieved from http://csaweb113v.csa.com.proxy.wichita.edu/ids70/      view_record.php?id=6&recnum=2&log=from_res&SID=9buat3reifijec6imuqehcng77&mark _id =search%3A6%3A44%2C0%2C10

Krentler, K. A., & Willis-Flurry, L. A. (2005, July/August). Does technology enhance actual student learning? the case of online discussion boards.    Journal of Education for Business, 80(6), 316-321. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=900367601&Fmt=7&clientId=328&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Larson, B. E., & Keiper, T. A. (2002). Classroom discussion and threaded electronic discussion: learning In two arenas. Contemporary Issues in      Technology and Teacher Education, 2(1). Retrieved from http://www.citejournal.org/vol2/iss1/socialstudies/article1.cfm

So, H.-J. (2009, April). When groups decide to use asynchronous online discussions: collaborative learning and social presence under a voluntary      participation structure. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(2), 143-160. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2008.00293.x

Warschauer, M. (1996). Comparing face-to-face and electronic discussion. Calico, 13(2), 7-26. Retrieved from http://www.gse.uci.edu/person/      warschauer_m/comparing.html

Woods, R., & Ebersole, S. (2003, June). Using non-subject-matter-specific discussion boards to build connectedness in online learning . The American journal of Distance Education, 17(2), 99-118. doi:10.1207/S15389286AJDE1702_3

Wright, C. (2001, Fall). Children and technology: issues, challenges, and opportunities. Childhood Education, 78(1), 37-41. Retrieved from      http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.wichita.edu/pqdlink?vinst=PROD&fmt=3&startpage=-ver=1&vname=PQD&RQT=309&did=83486121&exp=10      -29-2015&scaling=FULL&vtype=PQD&rqt=309&TS=1288482319&clientId=328

References