Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings
This is a continuing qualitative action research inquiry which explores the different participation in class discussions compared to online discussions. The discussions are based on interpretations of set texts by an A Level English group. This paper describes the action research that has been carri...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2016
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43746/ |
| _version_ | 1848796758499393536 |
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| author | Cooke, Lauren |
| author_facet | Cooke, Lauren |
| author_sort | Cooke, Lauren |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This is a continuing qualitative action research inquiry which explores the different participation in class discussions compared to online discussions. The discussions are based on interpretations of set texts by an A Level English group. This paper describes the action research that has been carried out in this first cycle. The research is framed by socio-cultural and socio-constructive theories of language as a tool for learning. The implementation of research methods, namely student questionnaires, an audio-recording of a class discussion and posts from an online discussion forum, are discussed, accompanied by an analysis of findings. The findings reveal that students understand the purpose of discussion to facilitate learning and features of effective discussion. The principal conclusion is that online discussion can foster egalitarian, collaborative participation by creating an alternative dialogic space, though there are technical barriers to overcome. Moreover, findings suggest the presence of a virtual symmetrical intermental development zone. The findings also highlight implications of negative and ambivalent attitudes towards online discussion. Reflections on my findings from this action research cycle compel a further spiral to continue exploring participation in class discussion, with particular regard to identity and personal views and feelings. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:53:04Z |
| format | Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) |
| id | nottingham-43746 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:53:04Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-437462017-10-19T18:13:52Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43746/ Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings Cooke, Lauren This is a continuing qualitative action research inquiry which explores the different participation in class discussions compared to online discussions. The discussions are based on interpretations of set texts by an A Level English group. This paper describes the action research that has been carried out in this first cycle. The research is framed by socio-cultural and socio-constructive theories of language as a tool for learning. The implementation of research methods, namely student questionnaires, an audio-recording of a class discussion and posts from an online discussion forum, are discussed, accompanied by an analysis of findings. The findings reveal that students understand the purpose of discussion to facilitate learning and features of effective discussion. The principal conclusion is that online discussion can foster egalitarian, collaborative participation by creating an alternative dialogic space, though there are technical barriers to overcome. Moreover, findings suggest the presence of a virtual symmetrical intermental development zone. The findings also highlight implications of negative and ambivalent attitudes towards online discussion. Reflections on my findings from this action research cycle compel a further spiral to continue exploring participation in class discussion, with particular regard to identity and personal views and feelings. 2016-09 Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43746/1/Cooke_Lauren_Dissertation_Fisher.pdf Cooke, Lauren (2016) Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] |
| spellingShingle | Cooke, Lauren Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title | Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title_full | Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title_short | Investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| title_sort | investigating the difference in participation in discussion within class and online settings |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43746/ |