Online Study Groups: Reciprocal Peer Questioning versus Mnemonic Devices

Abstract

One hundred sixty students in an educational psychology course used WebCT Discussions to satisfy one of two study group conditions, reciprocal peer questioning or mnemonic devices. Students made postings according to their assigned study strategy in order to facilitate the learning of their group. At the end of the academic term, student permission was obtained to use three types of data for purposes of the investigation: 1) course grades; 2) WebCT records; and 3) rating scale responses that assessed personal evaluation of the virtual study groups. There were no differences between the two study conditions in terms of academic achievement. However, students in the reciprocal peer questioning condition made more postings and read more articles than students in the mnemonics group. Correspondingly, students in the reciprocal peer questioning group reported higher levels of satisfaction with the virtual study experience.