Moving to their own beat: Exploring how students use web 2.0 technologies to support group work outside of class time
Norman Vaughan
Todd Nickle
Jim Silovs
Jim Zimmer
Mount Royal University
Abstract
Over the years, researchers have consistently reported that, regardless of the subject matter, students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats (Beckman, 1990; Chickering & Gamson, 1991). The majority of these research studies have focused on cooperative learning techniques in the classroom, but there are few studies that have investigated the impact of group work and peer instruction on student learning outside of the classroom. A similar trend appears to exist with regards to student use of technology. There are a number of studies that have explored student use of technology in the classroom (Barnett, 2006; Graham, Tripp, Seawright & Joeckel, 2007; Hoekstra, 2008), but not many document how students are using technology to support learning beyond the classroom. The purpose of this research study was to address these gaps in the literature: How do students use Web 2.0 technologies to support group work outside of class time?
About the Author(s)...
Dr. Norm Vaughan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education & Schooling, Faculty of Teaching and Learning at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. His research interests are in blended learning, faculty development, and K to 12 schooling. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dr. Todd Nickle is an Associate Professor in the Department Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. His research interests are active learning in the classroom and blended delivery instruction. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mr. Jim Silovs is an Assistant Professor in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. He also maintains a corporate commercial legal practice. His research interests are in contract law, corporate governance and blended and online learning. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dr. Jim Zimmer is the Dean of the Faculty of Teaching and Learning at Mount Royal University. In this capacity, he oversees pre-service teacher education, general education, the university's teaching-learning center, and the Institute for SoTL. His research interests include student engagement, technology integration and assessment of student learning.
