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The Medium Is the Message: Using Online Focus Groups To Study Online Learning.

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Title: The Medium Is the Message: Using Online Focus Groups To Study Online Learning.
Language: English
Authors: Burton, Laura, Goldsmith, Diane
Availability: For full text: http://www.ctdlc.org/Evaluation/mediumpaper.pdf/.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2002
Document Type: Reports - Research
Speeches/Meeting Papers
Descriptors: Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Mediated Communication, Distance Education, Educational Quality, Focus Groups, Higher Education, Instructional Development, Instructional Improvement, Online Systems, State Programs, Student Participation, Student Reaction
Geographic Terms: Connecticut
Abstract: As part of the continuing efforts to improve the quality of online learning in the course and program offerings of a state-wide consortium of higher education institutions, the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium has undertaken a 3-year research project to better understand how online students first approach Web-based learning and how that approach changes as they become more experienced. This paper explores and evaluates the development of a methodology for conducting electronic focus groups to evaluate student experiences in distance learning. Researchers are beginning to understand that using Web-based technologies augments the benefits of focus group methods. Electronic focus groups will allow participants to discuss and interact through a medium that is a part of their online learning environment. The benefits realized during the course of the two online focus group projects included lack of participant apprehension to communicate thoughts and the ability to discuss difficult topics. An additional benefit that has not been noted in previous research was the depth of discussion following participant agreement with other focus group members' comments. (Author/AEF)
Entry Date: 2004
Accession Number: ED482243
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
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  Data: The Medium Is the Message: Using Online Focus Groups To Study Online Learning.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Burton%2C+Laura%22">Burton, Laura</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Goldsmith%2C+Diane%22">Goldsmith, Diane</searchLink>
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  Data: For full text: http://www.ctdlc.org/Evaluation/mediumpaper.pdf/.
– Name: PeerReviewed
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  Data: N
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 15
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2002
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
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  Data: Reports - Research<br />Speeches/Meeting Papers
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Assisted+Instruction%22">Computer Assisted Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Focus+Groups%22">Focus Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Development%22">Instructional Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Improvement%22">Instructional Improvement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Online+Systems%22">Online Systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Programs%22">State Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Participation%22">Student Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Reaction%22">Student Reaction</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Connecticut%22">Connecticut</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: As part of the continuing efforts to improve the quality of online learning in the course and program offerings of a state-wide consortium of higher education institutions, the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium has undertaken a 3-year research project to better understand how online students first approach Web-based learning and how that approach changes as they become more experienced. This paper explores and evaluates the development of a methodology for conducting electronic focus groups to evaluate student experiences in distance learning. Researchers are beginning to understand that using Web-based technologies augments the benefits of focus group methods. Electronic focus groups will allow participants to discuss and interact through a medium that is a part of their online learning environment. The benefits realized during the course of the two online focus group projects included lack of participant apprehension to communicate thoughts and the ability to discuss difficult topics. An additional benefit that has not been noted in previous research was the depth of discussion following participant agreement with other focus group members' comments. (Author/AEF)
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  Data: 2004
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  Data: ED482243
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Computer Assisted Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Distance Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Focus Groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Improvement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Online Systems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Reaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Connecticut
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Medium Is the Message: Using Online Focus Groups To Study Online Learning.
        Type: main
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      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Burton, Laura
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          Name:
            NameFull: Goldsmith, Diane
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          Dates:
            – D: 04
              M: 06
              Type: published
              Y: 2002
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