Students’ Attitudes Toward an Online Synchronous Collaborative Problem-Based Learning Environment

• In Event: Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Instructional Technology SIG: Online Learning, Mobile Learning, and Technology-Enhanced Learning

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate 28 graduate students’ attitudes toward online synchronous collaborative small-group discussions with videoconferencing and to provide recommendations on how to improve such a learning environment. A mixed methods design was used to analyze three data sources including teamwork attitude surveys, a learning environment attitude survey, and individual interviews. The results revealed that students had positive attitudes toward the online synchronous collaborative learning environment and their favorable experiences included the sense of community, learning facilitation, and significance of the synchronous small-group discussions via videoconferencing. Furthermore, recommendations such as technical assistance, group rotations, clear course expectations, greater preparation time, and increased learner-instructor interactions were provided to improve students’ online synchronous collaborative small-group discussions with videoconferencing.

Authors

• Chatchada Akarasriworn, Srinakharinwirot University

• Heng-Yu Ku, University of Northern Colorado