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Research Issues in the Electronic Classroom

We are evaluating electronic classrooms used to support collaborative strategies for learning. The classrooms feature a network of workstations built into the desks to support as many as 40 students. Two large screen projectors enable instructors to show computer demonstrations, student workstations, video, or other images. Text, graphics, and video are shared on the network, thereby enabling instructors to distribute class notes, homework assignments, etc. At the University of Maryland the AT&T Teaching Theater, the IBM-TQM Teaching Theater, the aITs Teaching Theater, and proposed BSOS Learning Theater provide an unusual opportunity to investigate the application of hypermedia and collaborative groupware in lecture and college seminar environments. Educational issues involve the appropriate mix of multimedia materials, anonymity and disclosoure of ideas, and learning to navigate versus navigating to learn.

Participants:

Kent Norman, Department of Psychology

Diane Alonso, Graduate Research Assistant

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