The Impact of Small Group Online Discussions on Research Presentation Quality in Seminar Course for High School Students: A Comparative Study

This comparative study investigates the impact of small group online discussions on the quality of research presentations in a seminar course for high school students, contrasting it with traditional in-person discussions. Conducted at the Engineering Science Classroom of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, the study involved two cohorts of 10th-grade students: 71 students participated in-person in 2021, and 78 engaged online in 2022. Students were paired based on their subject interests for both the in-person and online formats. The quality of research presentations was evaluated using a standardized rubric, assessing both meeting engagement and presentation effectiveness. Statistical analysis using a t-test revealed that in-person discussions led to significantly higher scores in both meeting engagement and presentation quality compared to online discussions, indicating a discrepancy in the effectiveness of these two modes of interaction in enhancing research skills. These findings highlight the challenges and potential areas for improvement in online teaching, particularly in fostering student engagement and interaction. The study emphasizes the necessity for educators to adopt more innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness of online learning and underscores the importance of further research to explore long-term impacts and develop more immersive and interactive online learning experiences. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the efficacy of online education and its role in the evolving landscape of teaching and learning.