Getting participation through discussion

ABSTRACT

Student participation is a vital component of any taught course. Where the course is concerned with the learning and teaching of theories and concepts, as opposed to skills and experiences, the key activity in which students can participate is discussion. In large classes it is impossible for teachers to engage every student in discussion but they can talk to each other. This paper relates one teacher's experience over two years of trying to encourage students to discuss concepts such as systems and information using electronic bulletin boards. The paper focuses on how the exercise has evolved over time in response to reflection on experience and suggests some guidelines for making a success of this type of exercise.

REFERENCES

• 1: Boyle R., Jackson J. & Wade R. Changing learning culture with electronic bulletin boards, University of Leeds, School of Computer Studies Research Report Series, Report No. 95.2, 1995
• 2: Dall'Alba G. The role of teaching in higher education. Learning and Instruction 3 (1993), 299- 313
• 3: Laurillard D. Rethinking university teaching, London, Routledge, 1993
• 4: Ramsden P. Learning to teach in higher education. London, Roufledge, 1992

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Measurement, Performance, Theory