View in EDS

Investigating the Combined Effects of Group Size and Group Composition in Online Discussion

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Investigating the Combined Effects of Group Size and Group Composition in Online Discussion
Language: English
Authors: Yang, Tingting, Luo, Heng (ORCID 0000-0002-6551-8885), Sun, Di (ORCID 0000-0003-3801-9340)
Source: Active Learning in Higher Education. Jul 2022 23(2):115-128.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Discussion (Teaching Technique), Group Dynamics, Computer Mediated Communication, Student Participation, Student Characteristics, Large Group Instruction, Small Group Instruction, Graduate Students, Instructional Design, Blended Learning, Student Experience, Student Attitudes, Student Behavior, Peer Relationship
DOI: 10.1177/1469787420938524
ISSN: 1469-7874
Abstract: Discussion has been widely used in courses, both online and otherwise, as it provides opportunities for students to construct knowledge through interaction with peers and instructors. Grouping students is a prominent strategy in the use of discussion. However, simply dividing students cannot guarantee active participation and high learning performance. There is therefore a need to pay attention to the structure and/or features of grouping, especially group size and group composition. The study described in this article focuses on the combined effects of group size and group composition in online discussion. It investigates whether students in small groups have different participation behaviors and learning performance compared to students in whole-class discussion. In addition, the influence of group composition is examined by comparing students' participation and learning performance from high, medium, and low social-connected groups. Furthermore, this study also investigates how students' perceived learning experience differs among these three differently-connected group compositions. The results indicate significantly different participation behaviors and learning performance between small-group and whole-class discussion. The effects of group composition are also shown in students' learning behaviors, performance, and perceived experience. The results also reveal both advantages and disadvantages of different group types. The findings are expected to inform the design and implementation of grouping methods and extend our understanding of online discussion.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1338732
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1338732
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Investigating the Combined Effects of Group Size and Group Composition in Online Discussion
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yang%2C+Tingting%22">Yang, Tingting</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Luo%2C+Heng%22">Luo, Heng</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-8885">0000-0002-6551-8885</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sun%2C+Di%22">Sun, Di</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3801-9340">0000-0003-3801-9340</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Active+Learning+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Active Learning in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. Jul 2022 23(2):115-128.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 14
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discussion+%28Teaching+Technique%29%22">Discussion (Teaching Technique)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Group+Dynamics%22">Group Dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Participation%22">Student Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Large+Group+Instruction%22">Large Group Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Small+Group+Instruction%22">Small Group Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Design%22">Instructional Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Blended+Learning%22">Blended Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/1469787420938524
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1469-7874
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Discussion has been widely used in courses, both online and otherwise, as it provides opportunities for students to construct knowledge through interaction with peers and instructors. Grouping students is a prominent strategy in the use of discussion. However, simply dividing students cannot guarantee active participation and high learning performance. There is therefore a need to pay attention to the structure and/or features of grouping, especially group size and group composition. The study described in this article focuses on the combined effects of group size and group composition in online discussion. It investigates whether students in small groups have different participation behaviors and learning performance compared to students in whole-class discussion. In addition, the influence of group composition is examined by comparing students' participation and learning performance from high, medium, and low social-connected groups. Furthermore, this study also investigates how students' perceived learning experience differs among these three differently-connected group compositions. The results indicate significantly different participation behaviors and learning performance between small-group and whole-class discussion. The effects of group composition are also shown in students' learning behaviors, performance, and perceived experience. The results also reveal both advantages and disadvantages of different group types. The findings are expected to inform the design and implementation of grouping methods and extend our understanding of online discussion.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1338732
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1338732
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/1469787420938524
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 115
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Discussion (Teaching Technique)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group Dynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Large Group Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Small Group Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Blended Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Investigating the Combined Effects of Group Size and Group Composition in Online Discussion
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yang, Tingting
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Luo, Heng
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sun, Di
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Type: published
              Y: 2022
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1469-7874
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 23
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Active Learning in Higher Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1