Asynchronous Distance Education Forum - Brainstorming vs. Snowballing: A Case Study for Teaching in Programming Didactics

Asynchronous discussion fora all the more become part of the educational process of distance education. The goal of this research is the study of the educational techniques of Brainstorming and Snowballing to their utilisation in the frame of a distance education forum, both as far as participation and creation of learning environment and also educational effectiveness are concerned. This research refers to computer teachers’ training on didactics of programming within the framework of educational microworlds. As it is deduced from the data analysis and the study of the messages higher participation and improvement of critical thinking are noted when Brainstorming technique is used, while fairly less time is spent and less offtopic interventions are made when Snowballing technique is used. Meanwhile, Brainstorming is found to be more advantageous than Snowballing concerning the effectiveness both in primary level (trained teachers) and in secondary level of adaptation and knowledge impartment to the students (results of their students).