摘要：The research, commissioned by AS (ex Indire), is carried out on a universe of 40.000 teachers that were trained in Puntoedu net environment. The main purpose of the study is the analysis of communication processes that students and tutors develop in virtual classrooms.
The research was conducted about two focus: on one hand the different styles of participation, on the other the phenomenon of lurking. Both aspects were analysed distinguish between functional and dysfunctional aspects on learning processes. The methodology approach was both quantitative and qualitative.
The universe of the communication scripts was analyzed by identifying quantitative indices of levels of participation. This preliminary study photographed four situations useful to create a model of participation situations of virtual classrooms. A qualitative analysis was developed on a sample of scripts and trought focus groups and deep interviews gathered to tutors and students.
The study has identified indicators of participation and positive lurking that support online learning processes.
关键词：Lurking, Partecipation, Virtual class, On line communication analysis
