Online Discussions
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Online Discussions
Claire Tobin, Memorial University of Newfoundland claire (-please complete your user page)
Definitions and background
Online discussions are a collaborative tool to facilitate communication and knowledge construction (Johnson, 2007). An individual can view content and contribute to an online discussion any time or place on their computer with an internet connection (Sundararajan, 2010). Online discussions are also referred to as a type of computer mediated communication (Corich, Kinshuk, & Hunt, 2004). They have been popularized with the evolution of distance learning and the Internet but are also important in blended learning (a combination of face to face and online) (Ellis, Goodyear, O'Hara, & Prosser, 2007).
The online discussion is facilitated with software such as Blackboard or Weblog which provides a structure for individuals to share ideas (Wang & Woo, 2007). Course management systems such as Blackboard provide students with password secured any time availability to discussions (McInnish & Wright, 2005). Online discussions may be synchronous, asynchronous, facilitated or not facilitated (Levin, He, & Robbins, 2006). The most common online discussion is a threaded, asynchronous environment, although there are a variety of other formats and interfaces to support online discussions (Gao, Zhang, & Franklin, 2013). For example, online discussions may use visuals (tables, concept maps) or require prompts, statements or labels to begin a discussion (Gao et al.).
Affordances
Online discussions can enhance learning by facilitating comparing ideas, negotiating and interaction in ways that were previously not feasible in distance education (Gao et al., 2013). Guided thinking and questioning structures in online discussions can facilitate interaction and engagement (Sundararajan, 2010). Even in the traditional face-to-face classroom, where class time is limited, online discussions can provide “new opportunities for learning collaborations and partnerships, strengthening and extending learning communities, promoting new ways of communicating and investigating, and providing better access to an increasingly wide range of discipline-specific educational and research-based pedagogic resources” (Ellis et al., p. 83).
Online discussion may be deployed in a variety of formats and approaches to fit different pedagogical goals and approaches (Yeh, 2010). Kumar (2010) identified students’ task focus, learning and communication improved by using a structured, step by step five-stage model of e-moderating online discussions. Du, Havard and Lic (2005) found graduate students in a distance learning course experienced adaptive and adoptive learning when a framework of information, methods and cognition was applied to three types of discussions; flexible peer, structured topic and collaborative task.
The shared expressions in online discussion provide the learner, peers and the teacher permanent and flexible opportunities to observe evaluate and adapt learning processes (Du et al., 2005). Learner autonomy, an important element in motivation and learning, is supported in online discussions through self-assessment as well as peer responses and instructor feedback (Vonderwell, Xin, & Alderman, 2007). Noroozi et al. (2012) found even with ill-timed support information, graduate and undergraduate students were able to use each other for support in the online discussion to create effective knowledge construction.
Online discussions are easy to use and convenient yet do not compromise the quality of learning (Kayler & Weller, 2007). The online discussion format often allows for a higher quality of information to be exchanged as students have the time they need to prepare content (Du, Durrington, & Mathews, 2007). Students can experience increased focus on topic/task in online discussion as there is an absence of off-topic, distracting verbal interaction and visual cues (Chiu, Yang, Liang, & Chen, 2010). As well, many students find online discussions more comfortable and safe than face-to-face interactions and therefore are more willing to share ideas and participate (Cheng et al. & Joordens, 2011).
Constraints
Assessment and motivation are conflicting issues in online discussions (Du et al., 2007). In order to increase students’ motivation to participate, Hatzipanagos (2006) found extrinsic rewards in the form of external assessments were required to maintain and increase participation in online discussions. However, “conflict is often produced in a system which rewards individual effort when embedded within a collaborative learning context” (Du et al., 2007, p. 102). Johnson surmised a better balance was needed between workload required for online discussion and weighting of assessment to increase participation levels. Some students do not participate in online discussions (Johnson, 2007). Johnson found that only sixty-nine percent students in a third year university Music course participated in online discussions. Even for students who participate, assumptions should not be made that students will know how to participate effectively in online discussions (Ellis et al., 2007). Sundararajan (2010) argued there was a significant difference between active interaction and participation in online discussions, only the former of which leads to increased performance.
Virk (2004) found that time efficiency was a significant issue in online discussions in an online graduate course in history. Varying, unpredictable amounts of time is necessary for viewing posting, reflecting, typing, refining, and waiting for replies (Wang & Woo, 2007). Counting course hours is also difficult for administrative purposes because it is difficult to determine how much time students need and use in asynchronous online discussions (Green & Brown, 2009). Online discussion software could be more readable and organized to help with improving efficiency and time management (Virk).
Chiu et al. (2010) found learning was impacted because online discussions did not provide clear, immediate feedback through facial expressions and other perceptual clues. Students find online discussions can impede learning as online discussions do not facilitate the freedom and ease of speaking out an idea (Wang & Woo, 2007). As one example, McInnish and Wright (2005) found graduate students who were creating a complex external product such as a web site required levels and combinations of collaboration that were not provided in online discussion structure.
Students with different learning styles can create poor social dynamics in asynchronous online discussions (Küçüka, Genç‐Kumtepeb and Taşcıa, 2010). Poor social dynamics can make a student’s feel unaccepted and unsafe which impedes learning (Küçüka et al.). Learners that do not take ownership of their own learning are not well-suited for online discussions (Corich et al., 2004). Similarly, Chiu et al. (2010), found that most students were less contributing students (age eleven and twelve) and were less successful and retained less knowledge in online discussions. Learning is also negatively impacted in online discussions when students have poor writing skills or foreign language students (Corich et al.).
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