Graduate Students' Perceptions of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Discussion Tools

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Decker ◽  
Valerie Beltran
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University

With an increase in the number of online classes being taught at the university level, professors are exploring ways to create collaboration in the online environment. One such strategy is through using online discussion tools. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore students' beliefs about the benefits of using a variety of discussion tools in online classes. In analyzing students' responses to four open-ended questions, five key themes emerged that highlighted four benefits and one drawback to the use of online discussion tools. Online discussions helped build relationships, led to students hearing others' perspectives and feeling their perspectives were respected, led to students reflecting on the content and developing a deeper understanding, and helped groups coordinate projects and manage teamwork. In contrast, online discussions did not allow the same authenticity of dialogue in face-to-face discussions.

Students' Sense of Belonging in Online Classes

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-25
Author(s):  
Jessica Decker ◽  
Valerie Beltran
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Technology Skills ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Older Students ◽  
Online Educators

This study explored graduate students' perceptions of their sense of belonging in online classes, their comfort in participating in online discussions, and their technology skills. Differences in these areas among three different age groups were studied. Data were gathered via an online survey. The results of the data analysis showed that students, regardless of age, felt a sense of belonging and felt comfortable communicating in the online environment. The data also revealed that older students reported feeling more comfortable interacting with their classmates and disagreeing with their classmates while still maintaining trust than their younger counterparts. Such findings inform online educators in designing classes that meet the needs of all learners.

scholarly journals Students’ Perceptions of the Consequences of Distance Learning throughout Covid19 Epidemic in Higher Education: The Moroccan Case

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 56-70
Author(s):  
Rym Asserraji
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Personalized Learning ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University ◽  
Shed Light

  Distance learning can be regarded as learning that predominates entirely through the internet. It has been implemented because of the pandemic of Covid 19. According to Chaney (2010: 5-21), it is also referred to as distance learning, which is a swiftly flourishing setting that allows teachers and students and all people working in all domains the flexibility of working beyond the restraints of time and place. Also, this shift from face-to-face lectures to online classes is the only possible solution. Nevertheless, academic institutions would not be capable of converting all of their college curricula into an online resource overnight. Distance, scale, and personalized learning are the three biggest challenges for online learning. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the challenges of online learning for students at the university level. And then to try to find out the possible solutions and recommendations to enhance online learning for the benefit of students.

scholarly journals THE EBB AND FLOW OF ONLINE DISCUSSIONS: WHAT BLOOM CAN TELL US ABOUT OUR STUDENTS’ CONVERSATIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina A. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussion ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
The Face ◽  
Interesting Area ◽  
Ebb And Flow

This study looks at online discussions within the context of a group endeavor and attempts to evaluate three assertions: 1) students in an online discussion proceed through higher levels of thinking; 2) Online conversations follow an “ebb and flow” pattern; 3) The level of the first posting to the discussion influences the level of subsequent postings. Postings were classified by the Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives and were graphed to help analyze the assertions. There was only modest support for the first assertion and better support for the second and third assertions. Analyzing online discussions as a group endeavor may well prove an interesting area of research for those interested in applying the existing body of literature and theory on group discussions in the face-to-face arena to the online environment. Researchers need to evaluate whether this literature is applicable to online discussions and what distinctions can legitimately be made between group discussions in the face-to-face or online mode.

scholarly journals Impacts of Using Laptop at University Level- A Survey-Based Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol VI (I) ◽  
pp. 354-360
Author(s):  
Iffat Basit ◽  
Quratulain ◽  
Muhammad Hafeez
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Research Tool ◽  
Physics Students ◽  
Microsoft Word ◽  
Academic Activities ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University

A survey-based research study has been directed to reveal the impacts of using laptops at the university level. For this research, BS Mathematics and BS Physics students, both morning and evening sessions of Universities in South Punjab, Pakistan, were taken as a population. The population consists of 240 students and 10 teachers of four Universities in South Punjab. The sample of 112 students and10 teachers was taken by the Random sampling technique. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a research tool. The consequences of the research study discovered that most of the students used laptops for study purposes like making assignments on Microsoft word and presentations on PowerPoint. The results of teachers questionnaires revealed that most of the teachers used laptops for the preparation of lecturers and for different academic activities.

scholarly journals Mediating Test Anxiety through the Testing Effect in Asynchronous, Objective, Online Assessments at the University Level

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Testing Effect ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Online Evaluation ◽  
Online Assessments ◽  
Text Anxiety ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University

Do asynchronous online evaluations, designed and delivered to engage the testing effect, moderate test anxiety? To answer this question, we surveyed 353 undergraduate and graduate students, drawn from 12 courses, hybrid and online, asking whether the option to take and retake a quiz lessened their text anxiety. Students, no matter the course or level, indicate yes, with more than 90% of the sample agreeing that the option to retake a quiz reduced test anxiety. We also consider this result with regards to the issues of metacognitive accuracy, student engagement, and learning effectiveness. Nearly 95% saw the “anytime, anyplace” test-retest option increasing understanding, improving class engagement, and supporting a more effective learning experience. Our findings profile a promising path to reset traditional as well as refine online evaluation pedagogies.

Motivators of Student Contribution in Peer-Facilitated Online Discussion Environments

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57
Author(s):  
Hew Khe Foon
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Personal Gain ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Student Contribution ◽  
Discussion Topic

Online discussion forums are increasingly being utilized to provide a means for student-to-student interaction in e-learning environments. There is comparatively little research that examines peer-facilitated asynchronous online discussions compared to instructor-facilitated ones. This paper reports three studies on the motivators of student contribution in online discussions conducted within the context of peer-facilitation. These three studies involved the following samples: (a) full-time undergraduates (n = 47), (b) full-time graduates (n = 41), and (c) working adults in corporate settings (n = 62). Cross-comparison of the three studies revealed six major motivators: discussion topic, performance-linked incentive, personal gain, social capital, enjoyment, and response from other participants. Interestingly and contrary to expectations, the most common motivator was not performance-linked incentive such as marks for contribution but (a) the type of discussion topic followed by (b) the types of responses from other participants. Further analyses revealed that more graduate students reported being motivated by personal gain motives compared to undergraduates and working adults, and fewer undergraduates reported being motivated by the enjoyment of the discussion compared to graduates and working adults. More undergraduate and graduate students reported being motivated by marks compared to working adults. Synthesizing the findings of this study and those reported in other previous studies produces a more updated and comprehensive understanding of what motivates students to contribute in peer-facilitated online discussions. Implications of the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Telemedicine and molecular Sars-CoV-2 early detection to face the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Cherem ◽  
Victor Satler Pylro ◽  
Katia Poles ◽  
Richardson Costa Carvalho ◽  
Ewerton Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Community ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Remote Work ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Consultation ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Qpcr Method ◽  
The University

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic brought a series of challenges to the academic community. Social distancing measures imposed the interruption of face-to-face activities besides the implementation of remote work and online classes. For safe and gradual return, the monitoring of individuals, quick detection of infection, contact tracing, and isolation of those infected became essential. In this sense, we developed strategies to face the pandemic at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) - Brazil. A Telemedicine Program (TeleCovid) and the assemblage of a laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis (LabCovid) were essential measures for monitoring, preventing, and controlling outbreaks at the university. TeleCovid works with a team of students who guide and answer questions regarding COVID-19 and, when necessary, make the referral for online consultation with medical professionals. In the suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the doctor refers the patient for testing at LabCovid. LabCovid performs the sample collection using nasal swabs, followed by processing samples by the RT-qPCR method. We have placed all positive patients in isolation and tested their contacts. This approach meant that positive cases were identified early, thus avoiding outbreaks in different environments in face-to-face activities.

scholarly journals STUDENTS’ READINESS FOR E-LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 327-339
Author(s):  
Nurdin
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Instructional Material ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sample Group ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The University

The process of e-learning is the operations that involve humans, computers, the Internet, and instructional material and produce the outputs to learners and the organization. This research aimed to study students' readiness for e-learning of graduate students in IAIN Kendari, Indonesia. The research sample consisted of 168 graduate students who were selected purposively. The questionnaire was adapted from Watkins and interviewing 10% of the sample group was conducted to collect the data. The research findings showed that the students were ready for the e-learning, as shown by the overall mean score is 3.72, which is above Mo = 3.40. Due to the low means of statistical calculation, three important items need to be improved, such as Students' household distraction reduction, students' comfort to be involved in multiple online discussions, and students' ability to take notes during online discussions, should be considered. Based on the interview, some challenges met during online learning that reduced students' readiness were unstable internet connection, lecturer's presence on screen, inconducive learning environment, and inability to be a multitasker. Hence, it is recommended that the university and students discuss to improve students' readiness in motivation and technology access.

scholarly journals Instructor Social Presence and Connectedness in a Quick Shift from Face-to-Face to Online Instruction

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri Conklin ◽  
Amy Garrett Dikkers
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Format

During the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, instructors at a southeastern university had one week to convert their current face-to-face courses to an online format, under a time frame that did not allow for a “well-designed” online course. The current study investigates how some instructors were able to maintain social presence in the transition to the online environment, and the instructional practices they used to support those continued connections. In a cross-sectional survey of undergraduate and graduate students (N = 432 ) conducted during the last week of the Spring 2020 semester, we asked students to focus on a class that was successful in keeping them in touch with their instructor, content, and peers. Analyses of the data revealed four major themes: connectedness, instructor responsiveness and coaching, online learning best practices such as chunking materials, and empathic facilitation. 

scholarly journals The prevalence and characteristics of online assessment in Australian universities

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rod Byrnes ◽  
Allan Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Assessment ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Online Teaching And Learning ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The University ◽  
Australian Universities

<span>Assessment is one of the key elements of the teaching and learning process. It provides teachers with a means of evaluating the quality of their instruction. Students also use it to drive and direct their learning. Online teaching and learning will continue to become more important to Australian universities in order for them to remain competitive and economically viable. In the online environment, assessment is no less critical than in traditional face to face environments. However, assessment risks being overlooked or at least marginalised in the rush to place course content online. This paper provides a snapshot of the prevalence and characteristics of online assessment in Australian universities during 2004. It highlights useful information regarding the use of online assessment in the university sector and illustrates that overall this crucial area is not being given the attention or resources it requires.</span>

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