Discussion Board Assignments and Their Impact on Creating Engaged Learning Environments in Art History Online Courses

2013 ◽  
pp. 681-689
Author(s):  
Anahit Ter-Stepanian
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Art History ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Online Format

The adaptation of traditional, face-to-face courses to the online format presents both challenges and opportunities. Many pedagogical practices need to be rethought when designing online courses. A successful online course needs to be intellectually stimulating and engaging. The chapter demonstrates how to create an engaging learning environment without any additional budget. The author describes approaches that she has developed, experimented with, and found to be effective in asynchronous online art history courses, as well as learner engagement strategies she has implemented in the eLearning environment. Advantages of scenario-based discussions board assignments and the effects of role playing in discussion forums are discussed. The author shares examples of personalized discussion board assignments aimed to motivate online learners, create a collaborative learning environment, improve peer-to-peer interaction, and prevent plagiarism.

scholarly journals Teaching strategies to promote imagination and creativity through student choice

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene A. Smucny ◽  
Courtney Baker ◽  
Monisha Tripathy
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Course Delivery ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Student Choice ◽  
College Level ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Instructional Content ◽  
University Level ◽  
K 12

High-agency learning activities empower students to take more active roles in their own learning, directed by their interests, curiosities, and choices. Educators, particularly K-12, have long asserted that student choice of learning activities encourages a greater degree of personal engagement with instructional content, leading to more confident, interested, imaginative, and creative students (e.g., Kohn, 1993; Ronan, 2015).  However, implementing these strategies at the college level often proves challenging as course instructors merge learner engagement strategies, such as student choice, while still sufficiently addressing course objectives and content. Additionally, creating  supportive classroom environments that promote “open-ended” assignments at times are met with student resistance. This session is designed to provide ideas and tips to instructors wishing to employ student choice to enhance active learning, imagination, and creativity in their courses.  Presenters will share best practices for implementing student choice in learning activities and assignments, primarily using examples from asynchronous and synchronous online courses across various disciplines at George Mason University. We also will encourage participants to reflect on how learning activities and assignments in their own courses might be adapted to include student choice to promote imagination and creativity in university-level learning across course delivery formats.ReferencesKohn, A. (1993). Choices for Children: Why and How to Let Students Decide. The Phi Delta Kappan, 75(1), 8–20. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20405017Ronan, A. (2015, March 20). 7 Ways to Hack Your Classroom to Include Student Choice. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://www.edudemic.com/7-ways-to-hack-your-classroom/

scholarly journals Intentionality and Players of Effective Online Courses in Mathematics

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Hussain Raza ◽  
Emmenual Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Mathematics Courses ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Online Mathematics

Mathematics is the engine, vehicle, driver, and language of today’s initiatives, innovations, and human endeavors. In this mathematical-driven world, the ability to perform mathematical tasks and logical reasoning is also essential in solving quotidian tasks and problems. Therefore, mathematical competency and problem-solving skills are kept as an integral component in almost every educational curriculum around the globe. However, there are numerous stumbling blocks along the way to successful teaching, conducive learning environment, and good student performances in almost all disciplines, but more prevalent and visible in mathematics. The major concerns of educators responsible for teaching mathematics and mathematics-related courses are to find effective and innovative ways to deliver mathematical content, to extend the concepts and theories beyond the classrooms, to integrate mathematics with important concepts such as gamification, data mining, learning analytics, deep learning, and effective tools such as mobile devices, learning management systems, and digital technology, and to maintain a good record of students’ performance. In online deliveries, these concerns are further escalated due to no or limited one-to-one interactions and lack of face time, to mention a few. This article investigates the efficacy and effectiveness of traditional and innovative pedagogical practices used in online mathematic courses at the University of the South Pacific (USP). It examines the interdependence of embedded activities and students’ achievement. The results indicate that these online mathematics courses were highly dominated by conventional approaches and were less interactive and engaging, resulting in lower success rates when compared to the courses from other disciplines. To recommend possible ways to enhance the quality of learning and teaching in online mathematics courses, selected online courses from the information system discipline were explored. The reasons for the high online presence in the course were investigated and activities that could lead to collaborative and active learning beyond the passive materials were data mined. The evidence drawn from the statistical analysis highlights the importance of including selected interactive and engaging activities in online learning space of mathematics courses to promote student engagement and help create a sense of community among geographically dispersed students. Overall, based on the observations and theoretical foundation from literature, it can be said that including regular and frequent active assessment strategies, such as weekly quizzes and discussion forums, could extend and promote interactive and engaging learning in online learning space.

scholarly journals Students’ Attitudes toward the Use of Technology in Online Courses

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Majed Alharthi
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Interactive Learning Environment ◽  
Students Attitudes

The learning environment in 21st century schools has become the focus of attention for specialists in the educational field by equipping them with the right technologies to create an attractive and interactive learning environment. The purpose of this study was to find out university students’ attitudes toward technologies used in online courses and how employing these technologies benefit the learning environment. This paper reports the results of a quantitative research study examining university students’ attitudes toward technologies used in online courses. A total of 496 eligible students (268 male and 228 female) participated in the online survey through Social Networking Sites (SNS). This study found that, because of the complexity of the technologies used in these online courses, university students experienced difficulties using these tools and needed additional experience prior to their use in the online courses. The findings revealed that the most activities used in online courses in universities have largely focused on reading materials and online discussion forums, unlike other activities such as audio, social networking, online conferencing and games has not been widely used.

scholarly journals Identifying Learning Outcomes And The Use Of The Discussion Board In An Online Course

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Simione ◽  
Anne Rich
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Static Model ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Introductory Accounting

With the popularity and resulting demand for online courses growing, many educators have developed at least a component of their courses, if not the entire course, online.  These online courses, or components thereof, present many challenges to educators. Of the challenges faced, none is more important than learning.  If we are not returning to the static model of learning but instead we are increasing the number of online courses then as educators, we must deliver online courses in which students learn through active participation.  In developing online courses, one of the first challenges facing the instructor is to identify and communicate the learning outcomes of the course.  Without identification of learning outcomes, instructors will not be able to assess learning.  Once learning objectives are identified and assessments match these outcomes, faculty should find ways to create an active learning environment. This paper describes the progression of an online introductory accounting course and how it evolved to improve the learning experience and create an active learning environment for students. Our experiences may provide useful examples that could be followed by others.  The paper specifically describes the identification and communication of learning outcomes with related assessments and the use of the discussion board to foster an active learning environment. 

Proposal of an instrument to evaluate interaction spaces in a VLE

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Rubí Estela Morales-Salas ◽  
Daniel Montes-Ponce
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Interaction Space ◽  
Learning Objects ◽  
Traditional Education ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Exhibition Space

A virtual learning environment is conceived as an interaction space that ease the realization of mediated activities by technology, in this case the internet; besides using multimedia materials, learning objects, social networks, among others; which have changed imminently the traditional education. In this article an instrument is proposed in a checklist format, to evaluate any platform that has interaction spaces such as a Virtual Learning Environment, in this case responding to four spaces or general indicators: information Space, Mediation / Interaction Space, Instructional Design Space and Exhibition Space. Criteria are used according to the interactions and activities carried out by the consultant and virtual student. These, in turn, come up from the analysis and interaction of the advisers achieved in the discussion forums and portfolio activities through collaborative work. It was situated as a qualitative research, with a descriptive nature since it is not limited to data collection only, but also it refers and analyzes the interaction of the advisers achieved in the discussion forums and portfolio activities through the collaborative work of the workshop course "Virtual Learning Environments" developed in a virtual learning environment.

scholarly journals Influence of MOOC learners discussion forum social interactions on online reviews of MOOC

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Wu
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Online Review ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Processing Data ◽  
Learning Progress

AbstractAlthough some studies have explored massive open online courses (MOOCs) discussion forums and MOOC online reviews separately, studies of both aspects are insufficient. Based on the theory of self-determination, this paper proposes research hypotheses that MOOC learning progress has a direct impact on MOOC online reviews and an indirect influence on MOOC online reviews through social interactions in discussion forums, as well. Coursera the largest MOOC platform, is selected as the empirical research object, and data from learners who participated in the MOOC discussion forum and provided MOOC online reviews from August 2016 to December 2019 are obtained from the most popular course, “Machine Learning”. After processing, data from 4376 learners are obtained. Then, according to research hypotheses, multi regression models are constructed accordingly. The results show that the length of MOOC online review text is affected by the MOOC learning progress, the number of discussion forum posts, the number of follow, the online review sentiment and MOOC rating. This study highlights the main factors that affect MOOC online reviews. As a result, some suggestions are put forward for the construction of MOOC.

423 Massive Open Online Courses in Anatomy Education: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Cheong ◽  
I Keenan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Literature Search Strategy ◽  
Learning Development

Abstract Introduction Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have become increasingly popular for remotely delivering education to global audiences. MOOCs can provide an online platform for participants coming from a variety of professional backgrounds and international locations. Our systematic review investigated current literature surrounding MOOCs, and identified the value of such courses with respect to anatomical and medical education. Method Our literature search strategy involved exploring the PubMed database for the terms ’MOOC + Anatomy’ and ‘MOOC + Medical Education’ identified 290 relevant articles. Following implementation of the PRISMA criteria, 24 articles out of 290 were selected for inclusion in our systematic review. Results Participants completing MOOCs in anatomical and medical education generally showed increased knowledge and skills. We found that MOOC discussion forums encourage participants’ social learning development. MOOCs have shown to address participants’ needs and expectations while supplementing traditional learning approaches. However, the majority of experimental research studies did not include pre-post testing or appropriate controls. Furthermore, high levels of participant attrition, inability to address all learning approaches were identified as limitations with respect to MOOCs. Conclusions Although MOOCs have shown success in providing an excellent platform for learning, it has yet to show definitive improvements when compared to traditional teaching methods.

Creating the digital citizen: students’ co-construction of meaning for global citizenship during online discussions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Myers
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Construction ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Global Citizenship ◽  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Boards ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study examines whether online asynchronous discussion forums support student’s meaning-making about citizenship in a globalizing world. Citizenship is an increasingly contested identity for young people, yet they have few opportunities in traditional civic education to consider their own citizenship. Although online discussions are considered effective spaces for increasing dialogue and critical thinking between diverse students, there has been little research to understand how effective they are for helping students to construct new understandings of citizenship.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis approach was used to analyze and code 89 discussion board posts. The Interaction Analysis Model (IAM) coding scheme was used to describe and analyze the quality of knowledge construction that occurred across the posts focusing on different aspects of global citizenship.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that the discussion boards produced substantive talks about the meaning of citizenship that in some instances reached the level of new knowledge construction. The students considered different meanings for global citizenship and negotiated positions on key issues. However, the highest levels of knowledge construction were rarely reached.Practical implicationsA major implication is the need to organize and cue discussion boards to support knowledge construction in addition to fostering dialogue.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the role that technology can play in supporting students’ knowledge construction about global citizenship that go beyond the scripted meanings conveyed in civics classes.

Investigating Chinese University Students’ Enjoyment in a Web-Based Language Learning Environment: Validation of the Online Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110417
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Yizhi Yang ◽  
Lu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

The revolution in web-based technologies has enriched pedagogical practices and motivated scholars to address learners’ positive and negative emotions in the web-based language learning environment. In this study, we first examined the psychometric properties of the Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (FLES) and then developed the Online Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (OFLES). We adopted a mixed-method approach using a sample of 383 first language Chinese EFL undergraduates. In stage one of the research, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported an 11-item and 4-factor OFLES structure with an ideal model fit. The four sub-domains of the new enjoyment construct were OFLES- Teacher, Private, Interaction, and Competence. The Teacher domain accounted for most variance. In stage two, the qualitative analyses of feedback on an open-ended question concerning enjoyable episodes from 56 of the 383 participants revealed various sources of enjoyment for Chinese university EFL learners attending online English courses. Our findings contribute to an emerging wave of research examining the cross-contextual application of the FLES and provide important pedagogical implications for L2 practitioners and researchers. We discuss suggestions for future research.

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