Online Cooperative Learning in Physical Chemistry

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 2 Issue 1 (1997), S1430-4171(97)01107-2

Online Cooperative Learning in Physical Chemistry

Roland Stout,¹* Marcy Hamby Towns,² Deborah Sauder,³ Theresa Julia Zielinski,⁴ and George Long⁵

¹The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke NC 8372-1510
²Ball State University, Muncie IN 47306
³Hood College, Frederick MD 21701
⁴Niagara University, Niagara University NY 14109
⁵Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana PA 15705-1090

Published online: 16 April 1997

Abstract. The use of cooperative learning in an online setting is examined using the online segment of a recently offered physical chemistry course as an example. The nature and function of classical, face-to-face cooperative learning are outlined. The online course segment is outlined and is analyzed with regard to the criteria for classical cooperative learning. Though this specific course segment functioned poorly when taught as online cooperative learning, it is possible to structure online courses to take advantage of the strengths of cooperative learning. The possible structure and function of an online cooperative learning community are explored, concluding with a specific model for online cooperative learning.

Key Words: Computers in Chemistry; physical chemistry; teaching/learning theory/practice; instructional methods; computer-assisted instruction; cooperative learning; Internet; World Wide Web

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: Stout@nat.uncp.edu)

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