Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2002

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Michael T. Hutton

Committee Member

Charles A. Schlosser

Committee Member

Barbara Packer

Keywords

Computer Mediated Communication/Distance Education/Online Courses/Web Based Instruction

Abstract

The effects of a communications protocol in a synchronous on-line chat environment on the satisfaction of students in a Web-based computer science course was studied. Two undergraduate faculty members who teach Web-based courses, and 42 students in four separate computer science courses participated in the study. Students completed a pretest that measured their prior experience, current attitudes, and expectations with regards to synchronous chats in a Web-based course. Two classes of students were introduced to a communications protocol by the instructors that was used throughout the course while in synchronous chat. The other two classes did not use a protocol. A posttest was administered to all students at the end of each course that measured student satisfaction with the synchronous chats held throughout the semester. A communications protocol, in the context of this investigation, is a set of rules or guidelines that are adhered to by all participants while engaged in a synchronous electronic discussion.

This study answered the question: What effect does a communications protocol in a synchronous on-line chat environment have on the satisfaction of students in a Web based computer science course? The study showed that the use of a communications protocol in on-line synchronous chats had no effect on student satisfaction with Web based course.

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