Attracting student participation in asynchronous online discussions: A case study of peer facilitation

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111-1124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khe Foon Hew ◽  
Wing Sum Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Student Participation ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Peer Facilitation ◽  
Asynchronous Online Discussions

scholarly journals Asynchronous Online Discussions During Case-Based Learning: A Problem-Solving Process

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrie A Koehler ◽  
Zui Cheng ◽  
Holly Fiock ◽  
Shamila Janakiraman ◽  
Huanhuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Case Based Learning ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Asynchronous Online Discussions ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Problem Solving Process ◽  
Case Based

Asynchronous discussions are typically considered an essential aspect of online case-based learning. While instructors implement discussions to support a variety of instructional purposes during case-based learning (e.g., facilitate students’ sense making, prompt the consideration of diverse perspectives, debate complex topics), whether students receive the expected benefits is unclear, and little research has considered how students intentionally participate in discussions to support their learning during case-based learning. At the same time, students’ participation in asynchronous online discussions represents a complex endeavor. That is, students must make several decisions regarding how to effectively participate, while simultaneously experiencing several challenges. The purpose of this exploratory multiple-case study was to consider the experiences of six graduate students participating in asynchronous online discussions as a part of a case-based course. By analyzing these experiences, we were able to conceptualize students’ navigation of an asynchronous online discussion as a problem-solving process and consider individual problem-solving approaches. Results indicate that students relied primarily on instructors to determine the purpose of their discussion participation, expressed differing levels of value for participating in discussions, adopted a variety of strategies to meet discussion participation goals, and assessed their participation efforts mainly based on guidelines set by the instructor. We offer suggestions for effectively designing and facilitating asynchronous online discussions and discuss areas needing future research.

scholarly journals Como criar e manter interações de qualidade em cursos online?

EAD em FOCO ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Correia
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Digital Curation ◽  
Postgraduate Educational ◽  
Peer Facilitation

Frequentemente em cursos online, os alunos participam em discussões que ocorrem em sistemas virtuais. Estas discussões online são muitas vezes atividades obrigatórias que contam para a nota final do curso. Mesmo que, em muitas ocasiões, os alunos considerem improdutiva a exigência de participar nestas discussões, eles participam na mesma por causa do peso que têm na avaliação final. Discussões online sem significado e de pouca qualidade são muitas vezes o resultado desta atividade. Um estudo de caso foi realizado com uma disciplina online de pós-graduação em tecnologia educativa em universidade nos Estados Unidos. Este curso oferece duas estratégias inovadoras para superar os desafios colocados pelas discussões online: (1) moderação de discussões facilitadas pelos colegas; (2) curadoria de conteúdos digitais. Este estudo de caso evidencia a eficácia destas estratégias e a possibilidade de as reusar, transferir para diferentes ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem e implementar em diferentes sistemas. Palavras-chave: Discussões online, Facilitação pelos colegas, Curadoria de conteúdos digitais.  How to create and sustain high quality interactions in online courses?: The potential of peers moderation and digital curation AbstractParticipation in online discussions are often required from students while taking online classes. These are often mandatory activities that count towards the course final grade. Therefore, even though in many occasions online students find this requirement unproductive, they still participate with fear of lowering their grades. The results are often meaningless and superficial online conversations. A case study has been conducted with a postgraduate educational technology online course at a large university in the United States. This course offers two innovative strategies to overcome this issue: (1) peer facilitation, and (2) digital content curation. This case study offers evidence of these strategies effectiveness. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of these strategies and the possibility of reusing them, transferring them to different virtual learning environments and implementing them in different systems. Keywords: Online discussions, Peer facilitation, Digital content curation.

scholarly journals Growth patterns and E-Moderating Supports in Asynchronous Online Discussions in an Undergraduate Blended Course

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajar Ghadirian ◽  
Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Ayub ◽  
Kamariah Binti Abu Bakar ◽  
Maryam Hassanzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Knowledge Construction ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Threaded Discussions ◽  
Asynchronous Online Discussions ◽  
Use Of Knowledge ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Blended Course

<p>This study presents a case study of asynchronous online discussions’ (AOD) growth patterns in an undergraduate blended course to address the gap in our current understanding of how threads are developed in peer-moderated AODs. Building on a taxonomy of thread pattern proposed by Chan, Hew and Cheung (2009), growth patterns of thirty-six forums were explored on three patterns: Short Thread Pattern (SHTP), Extended Thread Pattern (ETP), and Split Thread Pattern (STP). The impact of peer moderating supports on thread growth was also investigated. Types of peer moderators’ supports were explored utilizing a coding scheme from Smet, Keer, Wever, and Valcke’s (2010) study. STP pattern was found to be more common than the other patterns with 74 (37.94%) out of 195 threaded discussions growing on it. The results also showed that, compared to SHTP, in both STP and ETP the occurrences of ‘Information exchange’ and ‘Knowledge construction’ supports appeared to be more, while the presences of supports stimulating ‘Development’, ‘Access and motivation’ and ‘Socialization’ were less. Furthermore, the use of ‘Access and motivation’ and ‘Socialization’ supports appeared to enhance early thread termination when used individually. Thread continuity was reinforced by the use of ‘Knowledge construction’ support with other moderating supports.<em></em></p>

CASE STUDY OF ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARD USE IN AN ENGINEERING EDUCATION GRADUATE COURSE

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Davidson ◽  
Lisa Romkey ◽  
Allison Van Beek
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Asynchronous Learning ◽  
Discussion Boards ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Online Discussion Board

Due to the increasing prevalence of asynchronous learning platforms, the development and implementation of online discussion boards have become important considerations in the design of post-secondary learning environments. This research is conducted as a case study of the online discussion board use in a small engineering education graduate course, consisting of in-class and online discussion components. By varying the structure of the online discussion board to allow different types of student interaction, the study identifies trends in discussion board use, specifically pertaining to student participation, student collaboration, and the integration between in-class and online discussions. As a result, the study provides insight into the utility and limitations of online discussion boards in post-secondary courses.  

scholarly journals Impact of using learning analytics in asynchronous online discussions in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Pedro Cerro Martínez ◽  
Montse Guitert Catasús ◽  
Teresa Romeu Fontanillas
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Design Based Research ◽  
Asynchronous Online Discussions

Abstract Following asynchronous online discussion activities as a complex communication process is a demanding task for teachers. In this paper, the authors have explored the potential in supporting such activity through learning analytics. From the beginning, the authors acknowledged the limitations of technology to support the complexities of a pedagogical activity. Therefore, the methodology used was participatory design-based research (DBR) divided into two main stages. The first design phase dealt with the engagement of teachers and pedagogical experts in defining the data and metrics to be used to support the pedagogical concepts. The second consisted of an implementation phase including pilots with students and with crucial engagement of teachers in commenting their understanding over students’ learning processes and the feedback the teachers could offer to them. Overall, the students shown improvements in their performance as monitored through the learning analytics group in contrast with control groups. The discussion over the design and its results could be potentially extrapolated to other educational contexts.

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