Grounding in Electronic Discussions: Standard (Threaded) Versus Anchored Discussion

Abstract

This paper identifies 'grounding' as an important process in asynchronous electronic meaning oriented discussions and tries to enhance and measure grounding activities, mutual understanding and the relevancy of messages. In this study, 190 first year students collaborated electronically with the goal of processing their literature together. Using a posttest only experimental design students were divided into a group that used a standard discussion board and one that used an annotation or 'anchored discussion' system. The used research instruments were: dialogue analysis, questionnaires and focus group interviews. Results will be analyzed and discussed in the light of the difference between the 2 conditions.