Faculty and Student Experiences With Web-based Discussion Groups in a Large Lecture Setting

Journal of Physical Therapy Education, Fall 2003 by Lacey, LeAnne

Faculty and Student Experiences With Web-based Discussion Groups in a Large Lecture Setting. Harden JK. Nurse Educ. 2003;28:26-30.

The struggle between lecturing in a large-group setting and allowing students to be active participants in small-group discussions has remained a problem for nursing professors. Being an active learner allows students to apply, analyze, and synthesize concepts to their clinical experiences and own lives. The problem is applying this for use in a large lecture setting. The fast-arriving advances in technology and the Internet may help solve this predicament by creating a variety of opportunities that can be utilized within the academic system. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility and effectiveness of Web-based discussion groups for a large lecture setting. The use of small, controlled online computer discussion groups as a way of facilitating active participation of a large group (N=117) of nursing students had a number of positive outcomes. Having the online discussion platform allowed students to have a better understanding of topics lectured on during class (93%). The exchange of ideas and ability to see other viewpoints among students was another positive result (78%). In addition, test anxiety was decreased because credit was given for participation in the Web discussions. Replying to other students' responses was also a method of understanding the topic more thoroughly. Surprisingly, several students responded to multiple students' answers instead of the required one response. The few negative outcomes were more related to computer programming and technical difficulties. Some students reported trouble accessing the Internet from home or inaccessibility issues at the university. A few students found responding to other students' answers redundant because of the similarities, while others were frustrated at those who waited close to the deadline to respond. In conclusion, it was found that the addition of Web-based discussion groups to the traditional large lecture setting allowed for a well-blended form of learning environment that had a number of positive outcomes relative to the learning opportunities of students. Nursing students need to be prepared and aware of the technological advances because the trends in education are emphasizing the importance of continuing education relative to distance learning.

LeAnne Lacey, SPT

University of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Ind