Rubrics for designing and evaluating online asynchronous discussions

The purpose of the study reported on in this paper was to identify performance criteria and ratings in rubrics designed for the evaluation of learning in online asynchronous discussions (OADs) in post-secondary contexts. We analysed rubrics collected from Internet sources. Using purposive sampling, we reached saturation with the selection of 50 rubrics. Using keyword analysis and subsequent grouping of keywords into categories, we identified 153 performance criteria in 19 categories and 831 ratings in 40 categories. We subsequently identified four core categories as follows: cognitive (44.0%), mechanical (19.0%), procedural/managerial (18.29%) and interactive (17.17%). Another 1.52% of ratings and performance criteria were labelled vague and not assigned to any core category.     

Reconceptualising moderation in asynchronous online discussions using grounded theory

This article reports a grounded theory study of the moderation of asynchronous online discussions, to explore the processes by which tutors in higher education decide when and how to moderate. It aims to construct a theory of e‐moderation based on some key factors which appear to influence e‐moderation. It discusses previous research on the definition and practice of e‐moderation, and then describes the study, which involved four e‐moderators working in two different university contexts. Key themes on e‐moderation, which emerged using a grounded theory approach, are discussed. It proposes a framework for e‐moderation and suggests that as a facilitative activity, it should be sufficiently contained within a ring‐fenced learning arena. Factors outside and inside the ring‐fence that appear to influence e‐moderation and their implications for future theory development and validation are discussed.     

Analysing peer feedback in asynchronous online discussions: A case study

Education and Information Technologies - Peer feedback is referred to as comments provided by one student to another with the intention to aid their peers’ progress in learning. The responses...     

Identifying patterns of collaborative knowledge exploration in online asynchronous discussions

This study investigated 6 weeks of online asynchronous discussions in a graduate-level course involving eleven students. The research purposes of this study were to identify patterns of collaborative knowledge exploration (CKE) and to suggest new analytical dimensions for investigating online discussions. Based upon a unique theoretical framework integrating the concepts of transition community and discourse community, three major dimensions of online asynchronous learning were adopted in the analysis. The first dimension focuses on the various forms of social negotiation in the discourse. The second dimension regards references to various learning resources, while the third is related to the coherence of the resources utilized. Based upon these dimensions and the analysis of the participating students’ online asynchronous discussions, this study suggested ten different patterns of CKE representing the cognitive processes of Elaborating, Challenging, Correcting, and Debating. We argue that the proposed analytical framework allows us to interpret the sociocultural and cognitive aspects of students’ interactions for online problem-based learning. In addition, the results suggest that the more cognitively demanding the pattern is, the less frequently it occurs. Potential factors contributing to the observed findings are discussed in this study.     

Interaction and cognitive engagement: An analysis of four asynchronous online discussions

Online discussion plays a unique role in face-to-face and distance teaching and learning. Interaction and student cognitive engagement during the online discussion are critical for constructing new understanding and knowledge. This article analyzes types of interaction that occur during online discussions, examines levels of student cognitive engagement in each discussion, and explores their effects on and implications for learning and teaching in higher education. By combining methods of social network analysis with qualitative content analysis, the article explores new methodologies for analyzing participation, interaction, and learning that take place online, and suggests areas for research in learning and teaching online.     

Supporting problem solving with asynchronous online discussions: a social network analysis

Educational technology research and development - Asynchronous online discussions (AODs) are a central component of online courses and have been widely implemented in case-based instruction (CBI)....     

Production blocking in brainstorming arguments in online group debates and asynchronous threaded discussions

Educational technology research and development - Online group debates hosted in asynchronous threaded discussions can facilitate critical thinking between discussants (and increase deeper...     

Increasing learner interaction: using Jigsaw online

Although delivered via distance learning technology, distributed learning is substantially different in fundamental ways. Distributed learning could be described as a distance learning environment that supports the co‐construction of knowledge, an endeavour where learners build a learning community where they are given and take on more responsibility, as well as the power to help ‘spread out’ cognitive activities among themselves. This paper provides guidelines for and details of an online collaborative learning activity that takes the perspective of constructing an online learning environment founded upon an active, collaborative, constructivist approach that is supported through the development of a strong sense of community, a distributed learning community.

Pour augmenter l’interaction apprenante: l’usage de Jigsaw en ligne

Bien qu’il soit transmis par les mêmes technologies que l’apprentissage à distance, l’apprentissage distribué est substantiellement différent et ce, d’une façon fondamentale. On pourrait décrire l’apprentissage distribué comme étant un environnement d’apprentissage à distance qui sert de base à la co‐construction des connaissances, une entreprise dans laquelle les apprenants construisent une communauté apprenante dans laquelle on leur donne et où ils prennent davantage de responsabilités ainsi que la capacité d’aider à « étaler » les activités cognitives entre eux. Cet article fournit des lignes directrices et présente en détail une activité d’apprentissage collaboratif en ligne; cette activité se place dans la perspective de la construction d’un environnement d’apprentissage en ligne fondé sur une approche active, collaborative et constructiviste reposant sur le développement d’un fort sentiment communautaire __ce qu’est une communauté d’apprentissage distribué.

Wachsende Lerner Interaktion: Anwendung von Jigsaw online

“Distributiertes Lernen” ist, obwohl dafür dieTechnologie des Fernlernens (Distance Learning) benutzt wird, grundsätzlich beträchtlich anders. Distributiertes Lernen könnte als ein Fernlehrfeld beschrieben werden, das die Co‐Konstruktion von Wissen unterstützt, ein Bestreben, bei dem Lerner eine Lerngemeinschaft aufbauen, bei der ihnen mehr Verantwortung gegeben wird, die sie auch annehmen. Dabei entspringt die Energie zu helfen den kognitiven Aktivitäten zwischen den Lernern selbst. Dieses Papier liefert Leitlinien und beschreibt Einzelheiten einer Online‐kooperativen Lernaktivität, die die Perspektive beinhaltet, eine Online‐Lernumgebung aufbauen zu können, die auf einem aktiven, kooperativen, konstruktivistischen Ansatz gründet, der durch die Entwicklung eines starken Sinnes für Gemeinschaft ‐ einer “distributierten Lerngemeinschaft” eben, unterstützt wird.     

Development of a participation style scale for online instructional discussions

Educational technology research and development - The purpose of this study is to develop a standardized measurement tool that can be used to determine the participation styles of individuals...     

Rethinking the nature of online work in asynchronous learning networks

Research on asynchronous learning networks (ALNs) has indicated that there are problems with both the quantity and quality of online interactions that can undermine the aim of inquiry. The goal of this paper is to offer a new way of thinking about these problems in the context of knowledge building, a specific form of collaborative inquiry supported by an ALN. Drawing from interviews with teachers following two teacher education courses that introduced teachers to knowledge building, it is argued that we need to rethink the role and purpose of online work in ALNs—as building a communal learning resource. A framework for doing this is proposed in terms of three notions: collaboration, learning how to learn and idea improvement. The framework is expected to contribute to the literature on knowledge building by providing a new way to distinguish knowledge building from other forms of collaborative inquiry.     

Higher-level knowledge construction in asynchronous online discussions: an analysis of group size, duration of online discussion, and student facilitation techniques

This study is concerned with the challenge of understanding what factors may influence students’ higher level knowledge construction. We defined higher level knowledge construction occurrences as the sum of the number of phases II to V measured using Gunawardena et al.’s (J Educ Comput Res 17(4):397–431, 1997) interaction analysis model. This paper is organized into two studies. In the first study, we examined the relationship between the frequency of higher level knowledge construction occurrences and group size, as well as the duration of the online discussion. Data were collected through online observations of 40 discussion forums. We found a significant positive relationship between group size and the frequency of higher level knowledge construction occurrences. However, there was no correlation between the duration of the online discussion and the frequency of such occurrences. In the second study, we examined the types of student facilitation techniques used. A further analysis of the data was conducted—of the 40 forums, 14 forums with higher incident rate of higher level knowledge construction occurrences were identified. Fourteen less frequent forums were then randomly chosen from the remaining forums. We found significant differences in the frequency of four student facilitation techniques employed between the more frequent group and the less frequent one. The results of this study suggest that using these four techniques more frequently may promote knowledge construction in asynchronous online discussions.     

Getting the blend right in new learning environments: A complementary approach to online discussions

This paper reports some of the findings of a case study investigation of undergraduate student learning in online discussions within a campus-based business course in New Zealand. The project explored predominantly Net Gener students’ perceptions of the differences between face-to-face and online discussions and the role of these differences in their learning. The study found that the students regarded the two environments as different but complementary for their learning and identified the features of each discussion environment that supported their learning. A complementary framework, based on these student perspectives is presented. These findings and the framework provide teachers and course designers with a new evidence-based approach for including effective face-to-face and online discussions for Net Gener and other students within their courses.     

Finding satisfaction: intrinsic motivation for synchronous and asynchronous communication in the online language learning context

Education and Information Technologies - Intrinsic value is related to intrinsic motivation and influences learners’ decisions to begin, continue, and return to learning tasks. In the context...     

Use of Felder and Silverman learning style model for online course design

Educational technology research and development - Learning Management Systems are used in millions of higher education courses, across various countries and disciplines. Teachers build courses...     

From presentation to interaction: new goals for online learning technologies

Educators have used online technology in the past as information presentation tools and information storage tools to support learning. Researchers identify online technologies with large capacities and capabilities to enhance human learning in an interactive fashion. Online learning technology should move away from the use of computer technology as presentation and storage tools and advance to the next level by using them as interactive tools. Emerging technologies should be implemented with advanced and sound instruction to promote interactive learning by engaging learners in actively analysing information and knowledge construction and applying technology to support their decision‐making. Three dimensions of advanced, sound and interactive online technologies are purposed in this paper: instructional communication technology, cognitive technology and management technology. These thee dimensions engage learners in active online communication, knowledge construction and the exchange of mental models.

De la présentation à l’interaction:de nouveaux objectifs pour les technologies d’apprentissage en ligne

Les éducateurs ont par le passé utilisé les technologies en ligne comme outils de présentation de l’information ou comme outils d’archivage de l’information pour faciliter l’apprentissage. Les chercheurs voient les technologies en ligne comme des outils de grande capacité à fort potentiel susceptibles de stimuler l’apprentissage humain de façon interactive. Les technologies d’apprentissage en ligne devraient dépasser l’emploi de la technologie informatique à des fins de présentation et d’archivage et passer à un autre niveau en les utilisant comme outils interactifs. Les technologies émergentes devraient être mises en ?uvre avec des instructions avancées et solides pour pouvoir faciliter l’apprentissage interactif en amenant les apprenants à faire preuve de dynamisme pour analyser l’information, construire les connaissances et appliquer la technologie à leur propre prise de décision. Dans cet article on présente trois aspects des technologies en ligne interactives avancées et solides : la technologie de la communication éducative,la technologie cognitive et la technologie de gestion. Ces trois dimensions amènent les apprenants à communiquer activement en ligne,à construire leurs connaissances et à échanger des modèles intellectuels.

Von der Präsentation zur Interaktion: Neue Ziele für Online‐Lerntechnologien

Pädagogen haben die Online‐Technologien in der Vergangenheit zur Informationspräsentation und als Informationsspeicher zur Unterstützung von Lernen verwendet. Heute wünschen Forscher, die Möglichkeiten leistungsfähiger Online‐Technologien auch in interaktiver Weise beim menschlichen Lernen zu nutzen. Online ‐ Lehr‐ und Lerntechnologien sollten von ihrer Verwendung als Präsentations‐ und Speicher‐Werkzeugen zu interaktiv nutzbaren Computertechnologien neuer Generation weiterentwickelt werden. Neue Techniken sollten mit fortschrittlichen und soliden Anweisungen verbunden werden, um interaktives Lernen dadurch zu fördern, dass Lernende sich mit aktiver Informationsanalyse, Wissenskonstruktion und dem Anwenden von Technologie zur Entscheidungsfindung befassen. Drei Dimensionen von fortschrittlichen, verlässlichen und interaktiven Online‐Techniken werden in diesem Papier vorgestellt: Unterrichtskommunikationstechnik, kognitive Techniken und Management Technologien. Diese drei Dimensionen beschäftigen Lernende bei aktiver Online‐Kommunikation, Wissens Konstruktion und dem Austausch virtueller Modelle.     

The relationships of communicator style, personality-based learning style, and classroom community among online graduate students

This study examined the relationships among communicator style, personality-based learning style, and sense of classroom community among 72 graduate students enrolled in online doctoral coursework. Findings suggested that communicator style patterns were related to learning styles and to classroom community. Moreover, the results of a canonical correlation suggested that friendly and open communicator styles were significantly related to feelings of being connected and the precise communicator style was related to both feelings of connectedness and to feelings that membership in the online learning community fostered educational goal attainment. No significant relationships were found between learning styles and classroom community.