Effects of Asynchronous Learning Networks : Results of a Field Experiment Comparing Groups and Individuals

An Asynchronous Learning Network (ALN) is a Computer-MediatedCommunication System designed to support quot;anytime/anywherequot; interaction amongstudents and between students and instructors. A field experiment compared groups andindividuals solving an ethical case scenario, with and without an ALN, to determine theseparate and joint effects of communication medium and teamwork. Undergraduate studentsin Computers and Society analyzed the case as an assignment in the course. Dependentvariables include quality of the reports, learning as measured by similar cases on the finalexam, and subjective perceptions of learning.The results indicate that working in a group, instead of alone, tends to increasemotivation, perception of learning and solution satisfaction. Individuals working onlineproduced higher quality reports on the ethics scenario than individuals working manually,and computer-supported groups produced the longest reports, while individuals workingmanually produced the shortest reports. Regarding group conditions, manual teamsreported significantly higher levels of process satisfaction, perception of process structureand perception of discussion quality than teams supported by an asynchronouscommunication medium. However, computer-supported groups reported the highest levelsof perceived learning. Finally, perception of collaborative learning does not seem to beaffected by the use of the medium; both supported and unsupported groups perceived aboutthe same levels of collaborative learning