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Small Group Research
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The Impact of Role Assignment on Knowledge Construction in Asynchronous Discussion Groups

A Multilevel Analysis

Tammy Schellens

Hilde Van Keer

Martin Valcke

Ghent University

The present research studied the effect of learning in asynchronous discussion groups on students' levels of knowledge construction. Multilevel analyses were applied to uncover the influence of student, group, and task variables on the one hand and the specific effect of the assignment of roles to group members on other hand. Results indicate that students'attitudes toward the learning environment and their engagement in the discussion group are significant predictors. As to the effect of role assignment, no significant overall difference in students' mean levels of knowledge construction between the role and no role condition was observed. However, additional analyses revealed that (a) the distribution patterns of the levels of knowledge construction differed as students in the role condition more often reached the highest level, and (b) assigning students the role of summarizer resulted in significantly higher levels of knowledge construction.

Key Words: computer-supported collaborative learning • scripting • higher education • asynchronous discussion group • role assignment

Small Group Research, Vol. 36, No. 6, 704-745 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1046496405281771
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B. De Wever, T. Schellens, H. Van Keer, and M. Valcke
Structuring Asynchronous Discussion Groups by Introducing Roles: Do Students Act in Line With Assigned Roles?
Small Group Research, December 1, 2008; 39(6): 770 - 794.
[Abstract] [PDF]