Computer-Mediated Discourse: Electronic Dialogue Journaling and Reflective Practice

Abstract

A promising strategy for encouraging reflection among student teachers is the use of dialog journals--logs or records of thoughts responded to by other writers. Electronic mail (e-mail) could be used as a medium for developing an electronic dialog journal that overcomes many of the practical constraints of the usual journal. The use of e-mail as a dialog journal medium was studied with 11 student teachers at 2 different teaching placements. In addition to the e-mail journals, additional data came from the student teachers' supervisors and a survey of participants. Students wer:-., directed to use the e-mail to send a synthesis of written self-critiques as they reflected on their teaching practices. Students sent a total of 294 e-mail messages during the 16-week semester, and only 3 students sent fewer than the minimum requirement of 1 message each week, Students responded favorably to the technology, but there is no direct evidence that the e-mail provided an effective measure of reflection. However, using electronic mail did provide a vehicle for student-teacher discourse that could promote reflection. (Contains 15 references.) (SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educatronat Research and improvement EDUCATE ',AL RESOER SOURCES ERIC) INFORMATION O CENT Thts document has been reproduced as received from toe person Or Organization originating d 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reptoduCtiOn Quality Points of view co oprmons stated rntmsdocu ment do net ileCeSSarity represent official OE RI positron or pohcy Computer-Mediated Discourse: Electronic Dialogue Journaling And Reflective Practice Susan R. McIntyre (mcintsr@uwec) Roger H. Tlusty (tlustyrh@uwec) University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Curriculum & Instruction Department Brewer Hall 271 Eau Claire, WI 54701 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY