INTERACTION OF GROUP AND CONSTRUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN A VIRTUAL FORUM FOR DISCUSSION. EXPERIENCE IN A COURSE OF ETHICS FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE

The present study shows an analysis of the process of construction of knowledge in a virtual group of academics who participated in an experiment in distance training in a course of instruction of Ethics at the University. The sample was composed of 16 participants who completed the seminar using the Internet. The model used was Gunawardena, Lowe and Anderson (1998) to evaluate 108 interactions and the level of social construction of knowledge in electronic discussion groups reached by the group. It was found that the majority of the shares reach levels II and III, none achieve the level V, which suggests a moderate level of construction of knowledge, which could be linked aspect teacher, strategies or activities. Finally, we discuss issues related to the relevance and implications of the model that could have an analysis of the levels of knowledge construction from the interactions of the group for educational systems which employ information technology and communication.