Revised Abstract
Title: Virtual 3rd Place
Preferred Threads: e-research, social networks, online learning communities
Author 1
Name and Institution: Aarron Kemp, University of Washington
Author 2
Name and Institution: Kathleen Walsh, University of Washington
Abstract:
The World Wide Web’s relationship to information and learning continues to evolve in the burgeoning 21st century, with many new tools being developed for merging face-to-face classrooms with asynchronous learning networks (ALNs). The research in “Virtual 3rd Place” focused on the overall impacts of ALN technologies upon the practices and results of interdisciplinary research communities across physical domains. We explored such ALN and e-Research techniques as collaborative software (blogs, wikis, tagging), interactive online learning communities and social software.
The use of ALNs is increasing for both residence and distance academic instruction, fueled by “evidence that ALNs generate high levels of cognitive activity” (Heckman, R., and Annabi, H. (2005). “A content analytic comparison of learning processes in online and face-to-face case study discussions.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(2), article 7, http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue2/heckman.html). Yet, current understanding about the impact of ALNs on learning is relatively limited given their recent emergence, underpinning a lack of certainty about overall ALN effectiveness and consequence, especially across disciplines and physical locations.
We focused on the representatives for the University of Washington’s Amsterdam Honor’s Program. Our methods included observations, interviews, and statistical analysis in studying their patterns of research and learning, both in Seattle and in Amsterdam.
The research questions we answered are:
1) How do researchers interact with their studies and each other through various ALN technologies including: web logs (blogging), folksonomies (tagging), wikis, and other social software?
2) How do these technologies impact research and knowledge development,
especially across disciplines and physical locales?
Preferred Threads: e-research, social networks, online learning communities
Author 1
Name and Institution: Aarron Kemp, University of Washington
Author 2
Name and Institution: Kathleen Walsh, University of Washington
Abstract:
The World Wide Web’s relationship to information and learning continues to evolve in the burgeoning 21st century, with many new tools being developed for merging face-to-face classrooms with asynchronous learning networks (ALNs). The research in “Virtual 3rd Place” focused on the overall impacts of ALN technologies upon the practices and results of interdisciplinary research communities across physical domains. We explored such ALN and e-Research techniques as collaborative software (blogs, wikis, tagging), interactive online learning communities and social software.
The use of ALNs is increasing for both residence and distance academic instruction, fueled by “evidence that ALNs generate high levels of cognitive activity” (Heckman, R., and Annabi, H. (2005). “A content analytic comparison of learning processes in online and face-to-face case study discussions.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(2), article 7, http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue2/heckman.html). Yet, current understanding about the impact of ALNs on learning is relatively limited given their recent emergence, underpinning a lack of certainty about overall ALN effectiveness and consequence, especially across disciplines and physical locations.
We focused on the representatives for the University of Washington’s Amsterdam Honor’s Program. Our methods included observations, interviews, and statistical analysis in studying their patterns of research and learning, both in Seattle and in Amsterdam.
The research questions we answered are:
1) How do researchers interact with their studies and each other through various ALN technologies including: web logs (blogging), folksonomies (tagging), wikis, and other social software?
2) How do these technologies impact research and knowledge development,
especially across disciplines and physical locales?
