Web-Based Extended Learning through Discussion Forums. Research Paper: Connecting Technology to Teaching and Learning.

A science classroom was used to study the effects of a shared intranet environment on students' problem-solving ability and metacognitive reflection skills through shared contextualization. Subjects were first-time 9th- and 10th-grade biology students from three public high schools. An evaluative analysis of the CourseInfo software (Blackboard, Inc., 1998) was undertaken, and the tracking capabilities of the CourseInfo software were evaluated through measurement of: number of log-ons to the threaded discussion; number of threaded statements; number of threaded dialogue statements of response to other student statements; and number of threaded dialogue statements of response to teacher statements. Analysis of tracked user movement within the shared Web-based environment was investigated as one possible model of evaluating learner academic behaviors within, and as a result of, Web-based environments. Results of the study support tracking user movement as an avenue of quantifying the effectiveness of Web-based learning initiatives. (AEF)