Marshal B Anderson, M.Ed. Workshop 2 Co-operative Project, Spring 1999

Whilst this is a small study looking at only two, opportunistically chosen groups, and using blunt statistical instruments, it has produced some specific recommendations for the administrators of the on line course. This has only covered one cycle in the action research loop and the obvious next step would be to do a similar study focusing on just on-line groups and see if those adjustments suggested actually do increase the cohesiveness and sense of identity within the on line group.

In terms of its application to situations beyond this specific on-line group there seem to be some suggestions that might be taken up in the design and development of other courses. However, the sample is statistically very small and the analysis of it limited. It seems more likely that it might form a pilot study for other research into the questions it raises and conclusions it tentatively draws.

From the point of view of the current M.Ed. there may be some action we can take to increase the level of identity within the group. It may be possible within Lotus Notes to embed a small graphic in messages. It's not suggested that this be done by adding the graphic as part of the content of each posting, but to store the graphics (preferably small photographs) somewhere in the database and provide a link to them from each posting.