Impacts of asynchronous learning networks on individual and group problem solving: A field experiment

An Asynchronous Learning Network (ALN) is a Computer-Mediated Communication System designed to support "anytime/anywhere" interaction among students a nd between students and instructors. A field experiment compared groups and individuals solving an ethical case scenario, with and without an ALN, to determine the separate and joint effects of communication medium and teamwo rk. Dependent variables include quality and length of the reports, and subj ective perceptions of learning and satisfaction. The results indicate that that an ALN enhances the quantity and quality of the solutions to an ethica l case scenario. The combination of teamwork with ALN-support increases the students' perception of learning. Although the perception of collaborative learning was similar between ALN-supported and unsupported groups, partici pants in computer-mediated groups reported lower perceptions of discussion quality than participants in manual groups.