Title: Does cooperative e-learning improve graduate student project outcomes?

Authors: Kenneth David Strang

Addresses: State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, USA; University of Phoenix, APPC Research, 1 Market St., 2007 NSW, Australia

Abstract: Cooperative learning was applied in an online graduate project management course to compare the effectiveness of asynchronous versus synchronous online team meetings. A quasi-experiment was constructed to allocate students to project teams while ensuring there was a balance of requisite skills, namely systems analysis and design along with HTML/Javascript programming. The project was constructed with a level of difficulty that required cooperative learning for high marks. The treatment in the experiment required the control group to use an asynchronous discussion forum for project meetings, and the test group to use synchronous video, audio, and text messaging for their team meetings. Prior ability was measured and numerous experimental controls were imposed.

Keywords: IT project management courses; e-learning effectiveness; t-tests; KS-tests; cooperative learning; electronic learning; online learning; graduate students; graduate projects; project outcomes; online team meetings; asynchronous discussion forums; project meetings; synchronous meetings; video; audio; text messaging.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2013.055947

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2013 Vol.5 No.1, pp.42 - 55

Accepted: 01 Mar 2013
Published online: 23 Sep 2014 *

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