Virtual writing forum with Don Murray and the national writing project in an asynchronous environment

Abstract

This study evaluated the level of participation and perceptions of effectiveness and value among participants in a virtual forum interacting with one another and with Donald Murray, a noted mentor in writing instruction. National Writing Project teacher consultants were invited to participate in a two-week interactive session using Caucus®, a non-threaded, World Wide Webbased, asynchronous computer conferencing system. Eighty-one teacher-consultants responded and participated in the event. Using a multiple perspective framework, data gathered through surveys, interviews, transcript analysis and online discussions suggest that participants, project coordinators and directors, as well as the author himself, found the event a valuable learning experience with interesting possibilities.