Assessing Student Perceptions of the Benefits of Discussions in Small-Group, Large-Class, and Online Learning Contexts

Autor/inn/en	Hamann, Kerstin; Pollock, Philip H.; Wilson, Bruce M.
Titel	Assessing Student Perceptions of the Benefits of Discussions in Small-Group, Large-Class, and Online Learning Contexts
Quelle	In: College Teaching, 60 (2012) 2, S.65-75 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	8756-7555
DOI	10.1080/87567555.2011.633407
Schlagwörter	Learner Engagement; Critical Thinking; Thinking Skills; Discussion Groups; Classroom Environment; Student Participation; Undergraduate Study; Advanced Courses; Computer Mediated Communication; Group Discussion; Cooperative Learning; Online Courses; Political Science; Student Surveys; Scholarship; Instruction + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Kritisches Denken; Denkfähigkeit; Klassenklima; Unterrichtsklima; Schülermitarbeit; Schülermitwirkung; Studentische Mitbestimmung; Grundstudium; Fortgeschrittenenunterricht; Computerkonferenz; Gruppendiskussion; Kooperatives Lernen; Online course; Online-Kurs; Staatslehre; Politikwissenschaft; Politische Wissenschaft; Schülerbefragung; Scholarships; Stipendium; Teaching process; Unterrichtsprozess
Abstract	A large literature establishes the benefits of discussions for stimulating student engagement and critical thinking skills. However, we know considerably less about the differential effects of various discussion environments on student learning. In this study, we assess student perceptions concerning the benefits of discussions in an upper-level political science class. We compare how students evaluated discussions in the whole-class environment, in small face-to-face discussion groups, and in online discussion groups. Overall, according to student surveys, small discussion groups elicited the highest student satisfaction and scored highest in critical thinking skills, while online discussions provided the best forum to express thoughts. While they did not favor all-class discussions, students reported that this format, too, provided benefits. (Contains 5 figures and 2 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10