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How do Singaporean and German students collaborate using online discussions in classroom project work?
Citation
Yip, M. F., Quek, C. L., Seet, B. Y. L., & Wong, A. F. L. (2003). How do Singaporean and German students collaborate using online discussions in classroom project work? Teaching and Learning, 24(2), 169-179.
Abstract
This online collaborative project enhances the traditional face-to-face teaching and learning in a typical classroom. It provides an avenue for innovative teaching and learning in the borderless world between Singapore and German secondary schools. Using this cross-cultural context, the project focused on two parts. In the first part, the students from both countries learnt the project skills of argumentative writing, researching on genetically modified food and its related issues. They also learnt to work in collaborative groups in the planning of debate with their overseas counterparts. In the second part, the students engaged in the debate culminating in a "live" exchange using Microsoft Network (MSN) Chat. The local sample consisted of 32 students (aged 13-14)from one class in a typical Singapore high school, while the German sample consisted of 16 students (aged 15-16)from one class in a high school in Neustadt i.H., Germany. The students' responses in this online learning approach were analysed qualitatively. A teachers' resource file was written and a website recording of the exchanges was created. The implications and key learning points of this project will also be discussed in this paper.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NIE NTU), Singapore