| Introduction | System | Environment | Learners | Content | Resources | Teachers | Techniques | References |

A session made by Morten Flate Paulsen for the Teaching Over The Web Conference
Organized by the University System of Georgia, May 11-15 1998

7. Teaching Methods, Techniques, and Devices

Verner (1964, 36) distinguished between individual methods and group methods. Applied on CMC, one often encounters a more detailed classification of methods. Harasim (1989), presenting the "Collaborative Learning Horizon", distinguished among one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many learning approaches. This study suggests that Harasim's classification should be supplemented with the one-online learning approach to support the four communication paradigms often used in CMC. The paradigms are information retrieval, electronic mail, bulletin boards, and computer conferencing. The classification is derived from Rapaport (1991) who uses it in his book; Computer Mediated Communications: Bulletin Boards, Computer Conferencing, Electronic Mail, and Information Retrieval. According to this discussion, the framework comprises the four methods: one-online, one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many.

Teaching Techniques

A pedagogical technique is a manner of accomplishing teaching objectives. The techniques introduced here are organized according to the four communication paradigms used in computer-mediated communication. The foregoing considerations result in a framework of four methods and a number of techniques as shown in figure 3. First, the techniques classified as one-online are characterized by retrieval of information from online resources and the fact that a student can perform the learning task without communication with the teacher or other students (e.g. search of online databases). Second, the techniques classified as one-to-one can be conducted via e-mail applications (e.g. e-mail based correspondence studies). Third, the techniques discussed as one-to-many will typically be conducted via World Wide Web, bulletin boards or distribution lists for e-mail (e.g. publication of a lecture). Finally, the techniques presented as many-to-many can be organized within computer conferencing systems, bulletin board systems, or distribution lists for e-mail (e.g. debates).

Teaching Devices

Verner (1964, 37) referred to "various mechanical instruments, audio-visual aids, physical arrangements, and materials" as devices that can enhance the effectiveness of an adult education process. Verner stated, however, that television could be regarded as a device when used in a classroom and as a method when it is the primary medium used in a distance education setting. From this, one may argue that CMC could be regarded as both device and method. In this study, however, CMC is viewed from the device perspective.

Using the CMC-classification derived from Rapaport (1991), there are four major CMC-devices: information retrieval systems, electronic mail systems, bulletin board systems, and computer conferencing systems. These four CMC-devices correspond primary to the four methods: one-online, one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many.

Building on these foundations, the framework established for the CMC-based teaching system is illustrated in table 4.

Table 4 Compilation of teaching methods, devices, and techniques
Teaching MethodsTeaching Techniques Teaching Devices
One-online
  • Online Databases
  • Online Journals
  • Online Applications
  • Software Libraries
  • Online Interest Groups
  • Interviews
Information Retrieval Systems
One-to-one
  • Learning Contracts
  • Apprenticeships
  • Internships
  • Correspondence Studies
E-mail Systems
One-to-many
  • Lectures
  • Symposiums
  • Skits
Bulletin Board Systems
Many-to-many
  • Debates
  • Simulations or Games
  • Role Plays
  • Case Studies
  • Discussions
  • Transcript Based Assignments
  • Brainstormings
  • Delphi Techniques
  • Nominal Group Techniques
  • Forums
  • Projects
Computer Conferencing Systems

These techniques are discussed in detail by Paulsen (1995b, available at http://www.hs.nki.no/~morten/cmcped.htm) in "The Online Report on Pedagogical Techniques for Computer-mediated Communication".