The Global Module Project: Developing and Troubleshooting Online Discussion Session between Empire State College Students Based in Panama and SUNYIT Students from New York State

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to set up an online cross-cultural collaboration module between students located around New York State and another group in Panama City, Panama. Using cognitive psychology approaches to learning, the author of the thesis designed an effective online space and module structure for two groups of students to introduce each other, participate in the discussions, and provide critical reflection about participation in the module. AWordPress site was created wherein students provided responses to a set of videos. The students all met at an Elluminate session and later reflected on the experience in an Angel discussion group. The author of the thesis journaled how she designed the online learning space and documented the effects of the use of the online group discussions and online meeting space on the group interaction. She also had students in both groups evaluate the tools used in the experiment.