Utilizing Peer Moderating in Online Discussions: Addressing the Controversy between Teacher Moderation and Nonmoderation

This study focused on the effects of peer moderation on meaningful interactions in online discussions. A meaningful interaction was defined as a message relating to a discussion topic, responding to a previous message, and adding substance to the discussion. A randomized-subject, posttest-only control group design was used to test the first hypothesis, that a peer-moderated online discussion forum would contain more posts responding to previous comments than a nonmoderated forum, and the second hypothesis, that a peer-moderated online discussion forum would contain more substantive responses enriching the conversation than a nonmoderated forum. Both hypotheses were supported. Results showed that students responded to messages more actively and engaged in more in-depth discussions when discussions were moderated by a peer.

[1]  J. Gerring.  A case study , 2011, Technology and Society.

[2]  E. Hall,et al.  Understanding Cultural Differences , 1989 .

[3]  Charles Moran,et al.  We Write, But Do We Read? (Computers and Controversy). , 1991 .

[4]  G. Hofstede,et al.  Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind , 1991 .

[5]  Terence C. Ahern,et al.  The Effects of Teacher Discourse in Computer-Mediated Discussion , 1992 .

[6]  Allan C. Tagg.  Leadership from Within: Student Moderation of Computer Conferences. , 1994 .

[7]  David McConnell,et al.  Managing Open Learning in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environments. , 1994 .

[8]  Mary C. McComb.  Benefits of computer‐mediated communication in college courses , 1994 .

[9]  Zane L. Berge,et al.  Facilitating Computer Conferencing: Recommendations from the Field. , 1995 .

[10]  P. Brouwer,et al.  Hold on a Minute Here: What Happened to Critical Thinking in the Information Age? , 1996 .

[11]  Harvey Mellar,et al.  A methodology for the analysis of patterns of participation within computer mediated communication courses , 1996 .

[12]  M. Warschauer.  Computer-Mediated Collaborative Learning: Theory and Practice. , 1997 .

[13]  Lauren Cifuentes,et al.  Design Considerations for Computer Conferences , 1997 .

[14]  Christina Dehler,et al.  Using Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) to Promote Experiential Learning in Graduate Studies. , 1998 .

[15]  Wim Veen,et al.  A virtual workshop as a tool for collaboration: towards a model of telematic learning environments , 1998, Comput. Educ..

[16]  Dean R. Spitzer.  Rediscovering the Social Context of Distance Learning. , 1998 .

[17]  Rena M. Palloff,et al.  Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. , 1999 .

[18]  Susan Rodrigues,et al.  An Evaluation of an Online Masters Course in Science Teacher Education , 1999 .

[19]  John Pearson.  Electronic networking in initial teacher education: is a virtual faculty of education possible? , 1999, Comput. Educ..

[20]  Dawn M. Poole.  Student Participation in a Discussion-Oriented Online Course , 2000 .

[21]  K. Card,et al.  Providing Access to Graduate Education Using Computer-Mediated Communication. , 2000 .

[22]  Su White,et al.  Variety is the spice of life: student use of CMC in the context of campus based study , 2000, Comput. Educ..

[23]  Shu-Sheng Liaw,et al.  Enhancing interactivity in web-based instruction: A review of the literature , 2000 .

[24]  Despina Galanouli,et al.  Using unmediated computer conferencing to promote reflective practice and confidencebuilding in initial teacher education , 2000 .

[25]  Kellah M. Edens.  Promoting Communication, Inquiry and Reflection in an Early Practicum Experience via an On-Line Discussion Group , 2000 .

[26]  Patrick Sullivan.  Using the Internet To Teach Composition. , 2000 .

[27]  Hsiu-Mei Huang.  Instructional Technologies Facilitating Online Courses. , 2000 .

[28]  Curtis J. Bonk,et al.  Content analysis of online discussion in an applied educational psychology course , 2000 .

[29]  Stan Guidera,et al.  Adapting Asynchronous Communication to Meet the Seven Principles of Effective Teaching , 2000 .

[30]  Lucio Teles,et al.  A Case Study in Online Classroom Interaction to Enhance Graduate Instruction in English Literature , 2001 .

[31]  Albert L. Ingram,et al.  Online Collaboration: Making It Work. , 2002 .

[32]  Amy S. C. Leh.  Action Research on Hybrid Courses and their Online Communities , 2002 .

[33]  Mieke Caris,et al.  TEACHING OVER THE WEB VERSUS IN THE CLASSROOM: DIFFERENCES IN THE INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE , 2002 .

[34]  Mike Moore,et al.  Editorial, What Does Research Say About the Learners Using Computer-Mediated Communication in Distance Learning? , 2002 .

[35]  Donnie Kirk,et al.  Facilitating Online Learning: Effective Strategies for Moderators , 2003, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[36]  Allan Jeong.  The Sequential Analysis of Group Interaction and Critical Thinking in Online , 2003 .

[37]  Curtis J. Bonk,et al.  Communication in a web-based conferencing system: the quality of computer-mediated interactions , 2003, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[38]  Elizabeth Murphy,et al.  Recognising and promoting collaboration in an online asynchronous discussion , 2004, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[39]  J. Cross.  Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace , 2004 .

[40]  Samia Khan.  Listservs in the college science classroom: Evaluating participation and “richness” in computer-mediated discourse , 2005 .

[41]  Robert Heckman,et al.  A Content Analytic Comparison of Learning Processes in Online and Face-to-Face Case Study Discussions , 2006, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[42]  Sherry L. Piezon,et al.  Online Groups and Social Loafing: Understanding Student-Group Interactions , 2005 .

[43]  Spencer Benson,et al.  Learning with Invisible Others: Perceptions of Online Presence and their Relationship to Cognitive and Affective Learning , 2005, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[44]  K. Seo.  Coming Out of the Darkness: Utilizing a Systematic Approach to Evaluate Discussion Forums in the Light of Learning Objectives , 2006 .