Analysis of the Content and Purpose of Four Different Kinds of Electronic Communications Among Preservice Teachers

Abstract

This study examines the content and purposes of four different types of electronic exchanges among a cohort of preservice elementary education majors across three semesters. Messages were exchanged (a) student to peer, (b) student to keypal, (c) student to instructor, and (d) student to group of peers using Web-based software that supported asynchronous, threaded discussions. The major purposes electronic communications served included opportunities for personal reflection, sharing teaching activities, and offering support. However, the peer-to-group messages fostered more reflective exchanges than other forms of one-to-one electronic communication studied.

Keywords:

• discussion
• e-mail
• electronic communication
• peers
• preservice teachers
• reflection
• threaded discussions
• TopClass