Schedule: 2009-09-11 (18:15 - 19:00)
Parallel Session 6 (Room A-36)

Title: Investigating the inclusion of online discussions to enhance students’ learning
Authors: Cindy Gunn
Abstract: The role of class discussions in higher education, and all the benefits and pitfalls that come with them, is not a new area of research. Recently, however, the definition of a class discussion has been broadened to include on-line interactions, either synchronously or a-synchronously. This paper will briefly review the literature on blended learned courses focusing in particular on the pros and cons of face-to-face classroom discussions and the pros and cons of on-line discussions. The presenter will move on to describe research undertaken in a medium sized university focusing on graduate and undergraduate students’ involvement in, and opinions of, on-line discussions versus regular in-class discussion.

The introduction of on-line activities is something that I, as a teacher, have been somewhat reluctant to do. However, with large undergraduate classes, limited class time for both the graduate and undergraduate classes, travel time for the graduate students, and other factors that have kept the students from fully participating in class discussions, I realized that my class discussions have not been as productive as I would ideally like them to be. This research is an attempt to find out whether or not adding synchronous and a-synchronous on-line discussions as a requirement of my courses would add to my own personal and profession development, as well as offer more enhanced language learning opportunities for my students.
Keywords: Learner Centered Instruction, Innovative elearning solutions, Pedagogical change

Main topic: Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

Biodata: Dr. Cindy Gunn has been teaching ESL since 1988. She has taught young learners through to adults in Canada, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and New Zealand. She is currently an Associate Professor in the MATESOL program at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Reflective Practice

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-11 (18:15 - 19:00) Parallel Session 6 (Room A-36)
Title:	Investigating the inclusion of online discussions to enhance students’ learning
Authors:	Cindy Gunn
Abstract:	The role of class discussions in higher education, and all the benefits and pitfalls that come with them, is not a new area of research. Recently, however, the definition of a class discussion has been broadened to include on-line interactions, either synchronously or a-synchronously. This paper will briefly review the literature on blended learned courses focusing in particular on the pros and cons of face-to-face classroom discussions and the pros and cons of on-line discussions. The presenter will move on to describe research undertaken in a medium sized university focusing on graduate and undergraduate students’ involvement in, and opinions of, on-line discussions versus regular in-class discussion. The introduction of on-line activities is something that I, as a teacher, have been somewhat reluctant to do. However, with large undergraduate classes, limited class time for both the graduate and undergraduate classes, travel time for the graduate students, and other factors that have kept the students from fully participating in class discussions, I realized that my class discussions have not been as productive as I would ideally like them to be. This research is an attempt to find out whether or not adding synchronous and a-synchronous on-line discussions as a requirement of my courses would add to my own personal and profession development, as well as offer more enhanced language learning opportunities for my students.
Keywords:	Learner Centered Instruction, Innovative elearning solutions, Pedagogical change
Main topic:	Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
Biodata:	Dr. Cindy Gunn has been teaching ESL since 1988. She has taught young learners through to adults in Canada, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and New Zealand. She is currently an Associate Professor in the MATESOL program at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Reflective Practice
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No