Help with Education Dissertation - Any Volunteers?

[bugsky]

Hi,

I am in my final year of studying Education at university and looking for some help with my dissertation - which I have left very late .

I am researching how and what we learn using virtual networks (such as this).

To this I shall need 4 or 5 people that I will observe and question about their usage of the forum, over the next 3 weeks.

So, ideally I would like those who use the forum fairly regularly, but even having responses from "lurkers" would be a reliable insight.

Those who study Music Production at any formal educational level would be my ideal candidates, as I can research how useful being active in an online forum is to their studies.

Everything will be anonymous and you will have full access to any information and details that I gather, including the final piece (if you so wish).

If you wish to take part, then I would monitor your posts using behavior coding, for some of the following attributes:
Positive/negative/neutral
The level of depth.
Reliability
Tone - Formal/informal
Response Rate
Time of posts
Problem Solving
Agreement/Disagreement
Gives/Asks for: Support, Suggestions, Opinion, Information.

We shall also have a short interview via AIM/MSN/Skype (whatever suits you) to just discuss your views and opinions on virtual networks and whether you feel you learn from them.

A questionnaire will also be posted for you and others to fill out, so that we have a more 'global' understanding of people's opinions.

Would you like to take part?

If so, discuss below, send me a pm, email me at: bugsky87 [ at ] googlemail.com, or Aim (same as my email address).

I also encourage for anyone else to give their opinions about this below - seeing as the study is all about forums and how we use them.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you for your time.

I look forward to hearing what you guys think.

[bugsky]

Thought I would bump this up.

I would really appreciate any input from you guys. This dissertation is beginning to stress me out!

If you do not wish to volunteer, then please state your own opinions about learning from a forum such as this.

Do you think this medium of learning is better than face-to-face?

Do you find the information reliable enough?

Is it easier for you to contribute to a community such as this online, rather than in a more formal learning environment?

Thanks,

[bugsky]

I have already had some response to my initial post, so thanks for those that have.

Although, I could always do with some more volunteers

I am already beginning to do my write up.

However,

I would like to see if anyone is interested in a short interview about how they use forums to learn about music production (or any other subject matter, in fact).

I'd just send you a pm / email with the questions, which will mainly be open-ended.

There won't be anything too personal and all information will remain anonymous and only used for my study, and i am sure it will spark some interest and debate.

I would really appreciate some response and the help.

Thank you.

[legend4ry]

Only just saw this - i'll be up for it mate .

[fragments]

I've known more than a few college composition instructors who have used message boards as a place to discuss reading assignments and student texts to varying results. Interesting concept!

I'd be happy to help, lurking more than anything recently. Also, not a music production major.

[nnny]

I don't study music production, purely a hobby, but if your lacking volunteers hit me up and I would be happy to help.