Facilitating collaboration in lecture-based learning through shared notes using wireless technologies

Abstract

This paper reports a case study for developing lecture teaching in higher education by connecting simultaneously the benefits of face-to-face teaching and social software for capturing and sharing students' lecture notes. The study was conducted with 12 university students taking a degree course on pre-primary education. Data were collected on (1) the nature of the shared lecture notes produced by the students; and (2) their experiences in creating and sharing lecture notes. Students wrote 367 notes in eight lecture sessions. Discourse analysis revealed five types of notes: reproducing lecture content; summarizing lecture content; connecting key concepts; developing lecture content; questions arising from lecture content. Content analysis revealed those aspects of the lectures developed through the shared notes. Discussions with four students at the end of the course explored their experiences of using the shared notes. The results are discussed in the context of changes to the cultural ecology of learning. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.