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The Effective Use of Learning Groups in Online Education
Author(s) -
Doran Cheryl L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new horizons in adult education and human resource development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1939-4225
DOI - 10.1002/nha3.10131
Subject(s) - asynchronous communication , context (archaeology) , psychology , group (periodic table) , collaborative learning , mathematics education , process (computing) , qualitative research , medical education , graduate students , pedagogy , computer science , sociology , medicine , computer network , organic chemistry , biology , operating system , paleontology , social science , chemistry
The process and effectiveness of small group collaborative activity in an asynchronous online graduate course offered by Capella University was investigated using a qualitative case study design. Research questions addressed the structure and support of small group collaborative activity within the online setting. Participants were working adults (teachers at the K‐12 and post‐secondary level, instructional designers, and corporate trainers) pursuing graduate degrees in education; necessary proactive and reactive means of nurturing group processes were addressed. The nature of assignments posed to groups, the issues surrounding group size, and the use of a systematic approach for enabling feedback between students were investigated. The development of group charters requiring all group members to agree formally, at the beginning, on group processes and individual responsibilities within groups was found to be an essential component of successful groups. This paper consists of the background and context of the study, followed by the researcher's conclusions and recommendations for improved course design, group structure, and instructor support.