Investigating design and technology students' peer interactions in a technology-mediated learning environment: A case study

Abstract

<span>This research investigates students' peer interactions in the Design and Technology (D&T) environment supported by</span><em>Knowledge Forum</em><span>. The sample comprised of 15 students who had no prior experience in using </span><em>Knowledge Forum</em><span>to mediate their D&T learning. Their interaction with peers occurred in three stages: design situation, ideation and development. Data was collected mainly from students' online discussion transcripts, with reference to hardcopy of students' reflection logs and design briefs which were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings showed unequal participation by the students throughout their weekly online discussion activities. In terms of students' interaction with their peers, the frequency of students' reading of notes far exceeded their frequency of building upon notes, as evidenced by their social network of notes.</span>

Transitioning Design and Technology Education from physical classrooms to virtual spaces: implications for pre-service teacher education

“…As with on-campus learning experiences, interaction with peers is a critical component of collaborative learning (Yeo and Quek 2011). Akyol and Garrison (2014) have reported that learners tend to communicate more openly with peers in the first 2 weeks of an online course when they are endeavouring to form connections and relationships.…”