ERIC Number: EJ763601
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 25
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-7069
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Small Group Collaboration in Peer-Led Electronic Discourse: An Analysis of Group Dynamics and Interactions Involving Preservice and Inservice Teachers
Ikpeze, Chinwe
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, v15 n3 p383-407 2007
Although researchers and educators agree that small group collaboration is an essential part of teacher education, not much attention had been paid to examining the dynamics, characteristics, and processes of online group collaboration involving teachers in a peer-led context. Yet, understanding how online teacher learning groups evolve and what conditions facilitate or hinder learning in such an environment is important to inform teacher educators about optimal ways to organize and facilitate group learning in teacher education. The purpose of this study is to investigate group characteristics and processes that impact peer-led group discussions and the role of the group facilitators in online small group learning. Thirty-one graduate students in a teacher education literacy seminar participated in the study. The study provides a qualitative content analysis of small group collaboration and insight to support existing structures for preservice and inservice teachers' professional development. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Teacher Educators, Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Graduate Students, Content Analysis, Cooperative Learning, Group Dynamics, Computer Mediated Communication, Teacher Collaboration, Peer Relationship, Interaction, Group Discussion, Literacy Education, Faculty Development, Group Structure
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327-1545. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A