Developing a Peer Learning Community through the use of CMC

This study investigates computer-mediated communication (CMC) to facilitate the construction of a learning community of preservice teachers. The formation of a learning community involves students working together to solve ill-structured problems and applying knowledge and experience to heuristic teaching. "Peer learning " broadly includes cooperative and collaborative learning and involves learners working together to achieve specific learning goals. Research goals of this study include: (1) to understand how students made use of CMC to construct knowledge about a computer-supported learning environment; (2) to create a problem-based learning activity that helps students integrate the theories of a computer-supported learning environment into practical teaching; (3) to describe the role of the lecturer in the peer learning community; and (4) to find out the role of learners in on-line discussions between members of the peer learning community. Findings show that contemporary computer-mediated communication technology not only supports learning activities but also fosters the development of peer learning communities. (Author/KHR) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AN