Problem-Solving of Teacher-Generated Classroom Management Cases in Wiki-Based Environment: An Analysis of Peers’ Influences

Abstract

This study reports a case of findings from a group of 24 learners also beginning teachers (BTs), engaged in discussion with peers to solve classroom management cases in a wiki-based environment supported by Learning Activity Management System (LAMS(R)). Specifically, it investigates how peers contribute to these learners' problem-solving of classroom management cases. Using the question prompts designed in the wiki, these learners who came from 10 secondary schools were scaffolded in their case discussions related to problem identification, strategy proposition, and making decision for their own case solutions. These learners' online scripts were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively to explore peers' influences on the learners' case-based learning. A summary of the learners' and peers' problem-solving behaviors was presented. To confirm the peers' influences on learners' case-based learning, the frequency of problems identified, strategies proposed, and strategies accepted by learners and their peers were further analyzed using t-test and hierarchical regression analysis. Based on the results, implications and recommendations for future research in designing collaborative wiki-based learning environments were proposed.