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Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Utah
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education |
Volume 36 Number 2
Winter 2003-2004
Research to Practice Online: Conditions that Foster
Democracy, Community, and Critical Thinking In Computer-Mediated
Discussions
Janice Fauske
University of South Florida
Suzanne E. Wade
University of Utah
Abstract
Although computer-mediated discussions (CMDs) have
the potential to be ideal forums for fostering dialogue, research on
listservs and in college composition classes has found that the
discourse tends to be dominated by a few individuals, often men, and is
sometimes abusive. In contrast, results of our study in a teacher
education course revealed that both men and women used a range and a mix
of discourse strategies. With a few exceptions, both men and women were
inclusive, supportive, personalizing, receptive to others’ ideas, and
attenuating. They were also willing to be critical and to challenge
others’ assumptions, images, beliefs, and positions, which they usually
prefaced with supportive and attenuating remarks. In addition, both men
and women were equally likely to mock and exclude those who did not
abide by the conventions of the group norms, although such comments were
uncommon. Based on our own research and a review of the literature, we
discuss what we learned and offer recommendations for instructors around
four themes: planning, netiquette, the role of the instructor, and
assessment.
Contributors
Janice Fauske is an associate professor in the Department of
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of South
Florida. Her teaching expertise includes reading in the content areas,
teaching and learning theory, instructional improvement for school
leaders, organizational communication and change in schools, and
qualitative research methods. Research interests include the effects of
collaborative governance and community building on teaching and learning
in schools and university level teaching, including discourse analysis
of online teaching.
Suzanne Wade is a professor in the Department of Teaching and
Learning at the University of Utah, where she teaches courses in content
area literacy, foundations of literacy, and reading strategies. Her
research interests include interest and importance in text processing,
inclusive education, case pedagogies in teacher education, and discourse
analysis of online discussions. She has been supported in her work by a
National Academy of Education Spencer Fellowship to conduct research in
reading, and a Career Development Award from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
Foundation.
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the full article (PDF, 120 KB, 19 seconds PDF Instructions)
Contact
Janice Fauske
5700 N. Tamiami Trail, PMC101
Sarasota, FL 34243
jfauske@sar.usf.edu
Suzanne Wade
1705 E. Campus Center Drive, Room 142
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Wade@ed.utah.edu
Copyright © 2003, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
| computer mediated discussions, listservs, discourse |
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