Discussion forums for the development of cognitive abilities in a blended learning course of physics I

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the use of forums in a Physics I Blended Learning course (BL) at the Universidad Nacional
Experimental del Táchira, UNET, focusing on the development of cognitive abilities (CA) to facilitate the learning of such a
subject. This course combines both face to face and virtual activities and resources. Main virtual activities were related to facilitate interactions among students and between teacher and students using forums, as a communication tool. These interactions were focused on the problem solving process, deepening and clarification Physic doubts and the development
of CA. The course was implemented in two semesters, 2009-1 (trial) and 2009-3 (data collection). A qualitative approach
together with a mixed methodology was employed to gather data. Data related to forums was analyzed from three perspectives: Pedagogical model, student role and communicative interactions. Results show that forums are potential teaching tools whose utility depends on the strategy used, as well as the teacher’s ability to develop interactions to help students to learn Physics and to develop their “intersubjective -memory”.