scholarly journals A Peek into the Life of Online Learning Discussion Forums: Implications for Web-Based Distance Learning

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Allan
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Interactive Learning Environments ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Quality Learning

<P>Supporting quality learning in online discussion forums is an intricate task, particularly for e-tutors aspiring to facilitate vigorous interactive learning environments. I argue that the key to successful online discussion forums is the ability of e-tutors to provide learners with feedback well informed in the meaning making and knowledge advancement processes emanating from learner interactions. In this paper, a newly developed concept of providing e-tutors with the information they require is explored, exhibiting the Event Centre (EC) concept, through which tutors are able to obtain periodic &ldquo;snapshots&rdquo; of the occurrences throughout discussion forums, which highlight processes of meaning construction and knowledge advancement. The EC concept provides e-tutors with visual images that depict the links and routes through which participants using text messages convey meaning, construct knowledge, and create Socio-Informational networks within discussion forums.</P> <P><B>Keywords:</B> e-learning, online discussion forums, e- tutoring, visualising social networks, monitoring online learning, online constructivist learning</P>

scholarly journals Using systemic functional linguistics to explore digital technologies in educational contexts

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (4-5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Coffin
Keyword(s):  
Meaning Making ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Systemic Functional Linguistics ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Functional Linguistics ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Semiotic Resources ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Educational Argumentation

AbstractOver the last decade, technological innovation has led to new pedagogic sites, such as online discussion forums and virtual 3D worlds. In these sites students and teachers use language and other meaning-making resources to engage in educational argumentation. However, there have been few studies which have systematically explored the role of lexicogrammatical and other semiotic resources in the making of meaning in these contexts. This is because the main body of research underpinning claims around the affordances and limits of online argumentation is located within sociocognitive paradigms. By drawing on the tools of systemic functional linguistics and, where relevant, systemic functional-multimodal analysis, this article therefore offers a fresh perspective. I show how such tools can illuminate both the overarching textual shape and structure of online discussion forums and the ways in which meanings are made through language and other semiotic resources.

Adoption of DSpace by Indian libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surendran Cherukodan ◽  
Humayoon Kabir S
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Google Search

Purpose – India occupies second position among the countries that have adopted DSpace open source software for institutional repositories (IRs)/digital libraries (DLs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for DSpace being preferred over other software. It inspects various instances of Indian web-based DSpace systems including the nature and growth of collection, the geographical distribution of DSpace systems and the types of institutions that adopt and maintain DSpace. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from the official website of DSpace, Google search and from online discussion forums during July 2013 to January 2014. The 132 Indian DSpace links provided in the official DSpace website were examined. Further search was carried out on Google to identify Indian IRs and DLs that are not listed by the official website. A list of Indian DSpace websites prepared by the authors was sent to the online discussion forums for further updating. An online directory of Indian DSpace websites was created using WordPress which provided for the adding of comments. The study is limited to the web-based DSpace IRs and DLs in India. Findings – The majority of the Indian IRs and DLs listed on the official website of DSpace are not visible on the internet. Many links lead to institution websites, commercial websites and personal pages of authors. Out of 132 DSpace links, only 55 are visible on the internet to search and use. Indian libraries prefer DSpace over EPrints, Fedora and Greenstone. Many institutions could not maintain continuity of their DSpace systems in the online environment. Institutions having more funding are maintaining web-based DSpace systems. The size, economic conditions, rate of literacy and number of universities in an Indian state do not influence the maintenance of digital systems. Academic institutions involving universities, technical institutions and colleges lead in the adoption and maintenance of web-based DSpace in India. Private universities and colleges have adopted DSpace for IR/DL. Public libraries constitute a minimum percentage of web-based DSpace instances. Indian courts and Parliament have adopted DSpace. Shodhganga, the Indian ETD project, is running on DSpace. Originality/value – This is the first paper examining the adoption of DSpace by Indian libraries with a focus on online visibility and the strength of collection. It can be used to understand the pattern of technology adoption by Indian libraries over the years.

scholarly journals Models to evaluate online learning communities of asynchronous discussion forums

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khe Foon Hew ◽  
Wing Sum Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Learning Communities ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Geographical Locations

Recent developments in learning theory have emphasised the importance of context and social interaction. In this vein, the notion of a learning community is gaining momentum. With the advent of asynchronous online discussion forums, learning communities now need not be confined to any specific geographical locations, as people can now interact with one another at any place and time convenient to them. In this paper, we describe appropriate models that can evaluate these online learning communities. We examine pertinent issues including learner-learner interaction, learner-teacher interaction, the thinking skills of the learners, the levels of information processing exhibited by learners in the online discussion, and the roles played by the online moderator. A practical example is also provided to illustrate how these models can be used. Finally, we discuss some drawbacks related to each model and ways for overcoming them.

scholarly journals Malaysian Private University Students’ Perception of Online Discussion Forums: A Qualitative Enquiry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Leow Wai Yee ◽  
Catherine Lee Cheng Ean
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Malaysian Students

The continuous advancement in technology has transformed physical learning platforms into digital spaces in higher education. In Malaysia, instructors and students are gradually adopting the e-learning or blended-learning approach by using online discussion forums (e.g. BlackBoard) or social networking sites (e.g. Facebook groups) to engage students’ participation in courses and encourage self-directed learning. This study presents a qualitative view of students’ perception of engaging in online discussion forums in a synchronous learning environment, and their views on the positive and negative aspects of using online discussion forums for learning. Results indicate that students perceive autonomy and sense of belongingness in the online community as main factors that influence their voluntary and active participation in the online discussion forums. Technical challenges remain as a key factor in determining students’ interests to utilize online discussion forums for learning. While future research is needed to assess the sentiments of Malaysian students in online learning, this study was intended to provide Malaysian instructors and higher education institutions a preview on the sentiments of students towards online learning to better improve the aspects of technical, pedagogical methods and policies for online learning as the nation moves towards Education 4.0. 

scholarly journals Recommendations in Online Discussion Forums for E-Learning Systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Abel ◽  
Ig Ibert Bittencourt ◽  
Evandro Costa ◽  
Nicola Henze ◽  
Daniel Krause ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussion ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
E Learning

scholarly journals Exploring discipline differentiation in online discussion participation

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrea Redmond ◽  
Jo Devine ◽  
Marita Bassoon
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Online Discussion Forums

<p>Online discussion forums are often the only interaction or communication a student in an online learning environment will have with the course instructor and fellow students. Discussion forums are intended to elicit a range of thinking skills from the students, from purely social interaction to metacognition in order to achieve deep learning. Given the increasing use of online learning environments, it is timely to question whether students from different disciplines use online discussion forums in different ways, particularly in terms of their level of thinking. If there is differentiation, educators need to provide discipline specific opportunities for undergraduate students to interact in dynamic online discussions as part of a rich learning experience. This ethnographic study explored the types of online postings provided by students as part of their learning journey in two undergraduate online courses, one in an Engineering program and another in a Teacher Education program at a regional university. The goal of the research was to identify evidence of higher order thinking within students’ online posts. Data were analysed according to Henri’s Content Analysis Model for Asynchronous Conferencing.</p>

scholarly journals An Empirical Study of Online Discussion Forums by Library and Information Science Postgraduate Students using Technology Acceptance Model 3

10.28945/2269 ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 257-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Airen Adetimirin
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
External Control ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Control Computer ◽  
E Learning

E-learning is an important trend globally that is believed to enhance the acquisition of knowledge by students within and outside the classroom to improve their academic pursuit. The Online Discussion Forum (ODF) is one of the tools that are used for e-learning in Nigerian universities. It facilitates interaction among postgraduate students as they can communicate and share information sources with one another to promote learning. However, the optimum use of this forum is determined by anchor factors in TAM 3 such as computer self-efficacy, perceptions of external control, computer anxiety and computer playfulness. A conceptual model based on TAM 3 was proposed and empirically tested. Using a survey research design and an online questionnaire for 121 Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students, the paper demonstrated that computer self-efficacy, perceptions of external control, computer anxiety and computer playfulness have significant influence on the use of ODF. The paper therefore proposes that Online Discussion Forums should be encouraged for learning in postgraduate education.

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