The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2007: §2323 Home Papers/Indices prev (§2322) Next (§2324)

Fri, Nov 2, 10:30 - 10:55, Ellwood 2 Paper (refereed)

Recommended Citation: Maurino, P S M, F Federman, and L Greenwald. Technical Classes Online: A Different Breed of Learning? In The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2007, v 24 (Pittsburgh): §2323. ISSN: 1542-7382. (A later version appears in Information Systems Education Journal 7(89). ISSN: 1545-679X.)

Technical Classes Online: A Different Breed of Learning?

Refereed

10 pages

Paula San Millan Maurino    [a1] [a2]
Computer Systems Department
Farmingdale State College    [u1] [u2]
Farmingdale, New York, USA    [c1] [c2]

Francine Federman    [a1] [a2]
Computer Systems Department
Farmingdale State College    [u1] [u2]
Farmingdale, New York, USA    [c1] [c2]

Lorraine Greenwald    [a1] [a2]
Computer Systems Department
Farmingdale State College    [u1] [u2]
Farmingdale, New York, USA    [c1] [c2]

This paper describes the partial findings of a dissertation on distance education based on a case study at Farmingdale State College in New York. The study, Online Threaded Discussions: Purposes, Goals and Objectives, analyzed interaction from the standpoint of the instructor. Interviews were held with faculty and triangulated with analysis of “starter” discussion questions, database transcripts, and focus groups. One of the important findings of the study was that there was a major difference between online technical and non-technical classes. Technical courses in any discipline were seen as different. These differences affected the purposes, goals and objectives set by instructors for their threaded discussions. The differences also necessitated a different form of interaction. These findings can be used to develop best practices for technical instructors in a virtual classroom and members of the systems education community.

Keywords: distance education, technical courses, systems educators, interaction, online threaded discussions

Read this refereed paper in Adobe Portable Document (PDF) format. (10 pages, 521 K bytes)
Preview this refereed paper in Plain Text (TXT) format. (36 K bytes)
View the PowerPoint Slides (PPT) for this presentation. (104 K bytes)

CDpic
Comments and corrections to
webmaster@isedj.org