The Relationship between Class Size and Online Activity Patterns in Asynchronous Computer Conferencing Environments

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Relationship between Class Size and Online Activity Patterns in Asynchronous Computer Conferencing Environments
Language: English
Authors: Hewitt, Jim, Brett, Clare
Source: Computers & Education. Dec 2007 49(4):1258-1271.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2007
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Teleconferencing, Correlation, Class Size, Small Classes, Graduate Students, Computer Uses in Education, Notetaking, Reading Rate, Graduate Study, Computer Mediated Communication
DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2006.02.001
ISSN: 0360-1315
Abstract: This study analyzes the relationship between class size and student online activity patterns in a series of 28 graduate level computer conferencing courses. Quantitative analyses of note production, average note size, note opening and note reading percentages found a significant positive correlation between class size and mean number of notes generated. Significant negative correlations were found between class size and average note size and between class size and percent of notes opened. Analyses of average reading speeds among large classes and small classes revealed that students in large classes were more likely to scan lengthy notes (i.e., notes that contain more than 350 words). Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
Abstractor: Author
Entry Date: 2007
Accession Number: EJ773945
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study analyzes the relationship between class size and student online activity patterns in a series of 28 graduate level computer conferencing courses. Quantitative analyses of note production, average note size, note opening and note reading percentages found a significant positive correlation between class size and mean number of notes generated. Significant negative correlations were found between class size and average note size and between class size and percent of notes opened. Analyses of average reading speeds among large classes and small classes revealed that students in large classes were more likely to scan lengthy notes (i.e., notes that contain more than 350 words). Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
ISSN:0360-1315
DOI:10.1016/j.compedu.2006.02.001