Comparison of student discourse in on-line and face-to-face environments

CHED 1653

Gabriela C. Weaver, gweaver@purdue.edu and Kellie F. Green, kfgreen@purdue.edu. Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2084
It is becoming increasingly common for discourse to take place using email, text messaging, blogs, chatrooms and other similar computer-assisted formats. In some cases, educators are taking advantage of these new forms of communication in order to reach their students. In some cases, this is part of a distance-learning environment, and in some cases it is a supplement to a traditional course format. In this study, we compared the discourse style among students involved in chemistry study sessions both in an online chat room (synchronouse, distance format) and in a traditional face-to-face environment. We found significant differences in the degree to which students participate in the discourse, compared to the instructore. We also found significant differences in the participation between male and female students. A description of the study and results will be presented.
 

Communicating Chemistry
1:30 PM-4:55 PM, Tuesday, March 27, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227B, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007