A Study on the Usefulness of Web Applications for Teaching Assistants’ Intervention in Group Discussions

Abstract

This study examined how teaching assistants (TAs) can use a web application (web app) that can be collaboratively edited in group discussions to determine the necessity of intervention, as well as what types of interventions were made using the web app. Analysis of interviews and intervention statements using videos recorded with wearable cameras revealed that the content of the web app and both the content of the web app and the students' behavior were used as criteria for determining the necessity of intervention, and it was also clarified that TAs intervened in the content of the discussion in each situation. Furthermore, it was suggested that for TAs with limited experience in supporting group discussions, confirming both the web app and the students' behavior together may be useful in determining the necessity of intervention.