Developing Pre-Service Teachers' Problem-Solving Skills Through Online Case-Based Discussion: Comparing the Effect of Different Types of Role Scripts

Online discussions in case-based instruction (CBI) are effective in developing the problem-solving skills of pre-service teachers (PSTs). Both the content-oriented role script and the communication-oriented role script have been proven to be of benefit to structure and to facilitate online discussions; however, which role script is more effective for online case-based discussion remains unknown. This study conducted a quasi-experiment to compare the effect of different types of role scripts on thirty-six PSTs' problem-solving skills and participating behaviors through two rounds of online case-based discussions. The results indicated that these two role scripts have their own unique advantages; that is, the content-oriented role script is more effective for improving PSTs' problem-solving skills through online case-based discussions, while the communication-oriented role script is superior in fostering PSTs' behavioral engagement during online case-based discussions. The findings provide empirical evidence regarding the design and implementation of role scripts for effective online case-based discussions.