Breaking the silence in classroom participation: A study of a regular classroom and a computer-mediated setting

Abstract

This qualitative study of classroom processes focuses on the roles students play in two different environments, a regular classroom and an anonymous, collaborative, technological environment using GroupSystems. As students from an urban high school engaged in a brainstorming session about complex, ethical issues, they participated differently in each setting. The research questions that this study addresses are: Given a discussion of complex, ethical issues, what is the nature of classroom participation roles? In addition, in what ways are participation roles in a regular classroom structure different from a collaborative, technological environment? Furthermore, in each environment, how do ethnically diverse students participate in discussions of complex, ethical issues, as defined by their participation roles? Then to view gender issues in each environment, how do male and female students participate in discussions of complex, ethical issues, as defined by their participation roles? An analysis of these questions provides a deeper understanding of the roles students take in a classroom discussion. In addition, it provides similarities and differences between such discussions in a regular classroom versus an online setting. The insights provided in this study may contribute to a better understanding for teaching and teacher education in constructing activities and environments that support student voice, equity, and active participation in society as a whole.