Utilizing Question and Answer Discussion Forums to Enhance Learning in University Health Courses

2018 ◽  
pp. 235-251
Author(s):  
Niyi Awofeso
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Course Outcomes

This chapter examines the contributions of Moodle's Q&A discussion forum platforms to optimizing cooperative and collaborative learning, validity of assessment of discussion forum posts, and achievement of course outcomes. The author studied: (1) How appropriate is the Q&A variant of online discussion forums in facilitating individual and collaborative learning? (2) How may course facilitators equitably grade online learning individual and collaborative learning activities using Q&A discussion forums? (3) Do learners' performance in Q&A category of online discussion forums predict performance in other assignments in online courses? (4) How well do learning activities in Q&A forums achieve courses' learning outcomes compared with other learning approaches? Survey and data analysis conducted by the author at HBMSU, UAE revealed that Moodle's Q&A discussion forum compares favorably with other teaching approaches in facilitating cooperative and collaborative learning, predicting overall learning achievement as well as improving validity of assessments.

scholarly journals Enhancing learning through the discussion forum

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nantha Kumar Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Collaborative Discussion

Asynchronous online discussion forums play an important role in adult online courses, and have many possible functions. Our experience in using the discussion forums in online courses for task-based collaborative discussion has led us to many questions about the optimal ways of using online discussion to support collaborative learning, such as how should instructors structure online discussions in a way that it promotes collaborative learning? What should instructors do to enhance learners' reflective thinking, critical thinking, or problem solving in online collaborative discussions? The challenges of using forum in learning have also been highlighted by many researchers. In this paper, we present a so-called “smart” discussion forum to support, monitor and facilitate task-based collaboration for the learning process of adult learners to advance their development of critical thinking.

scholarly journals Assessment of Online Discussion Forums for Law Students

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-83
Author(s):  
Judith McNamara ◽  
◽  
Kelley Burton ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Law Students ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Work Placement ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forum

This paper goes beyond the existing literature and explores the innovative topic of designing criterionreferenced assessment for online discussion forums. There are several benefits of embedding online discussion forums into subjects including engaging students in collaborative learning, and encouraging deeper analysis, critical thinking and reflection. Using the assessment principles of validity, reliability and transparency, this paper offers a range of practical strategies to tutors who plan to develop criterionreferenced assessment as opposed to norm-referenced assessment for online discussion forums, applies the assessment principles in the context of an undergraduate law subject, and exemplars a rubric for an online discussion forum in a work placement subject.

Managing Online Discussion Forums for Collaborative Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 437-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing Lam ◽  
Eu-Jin Kong ◽  
Alton Chua
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Educational Methods ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
Promising Area

In recent years, there has been significant growth in online education (Schrum & Hong, 2002; Evans & Haase, 2001). The number of academic journals devoted to online education also suggests that researchers are paying much attention to advancing online educational methods. One promising area of investigation is collaborative learning, which involves students learning as a group (Zhang & Nunamaker, 2003), much of which takes place electronically without face-to-face interaction (Townsend, DeMarie, & Hendrickson, 1998). One popular tool used to support collaborative learning is the online discussion forum (ODF), which allows asynchronous interaction between participants. This paper describes the experiences of using ODFs for collaborative learning at Universitas 21 Global (U21G), a newly established e-university.

Smart Approaches for Optimizing Learning and Assessments in Online University Courses

2021 ◽  
pp. 93-115
Author(s):  
Niyi Awofeso
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Operational Research ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Assessment Policy

This chapter discusses findings from two initiatives for optimizing the quality of learning and assessments in online university courses at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University: (1) use of mandatory assessment policy of self-paced classes to promote learner engagement and (2) achievement of learning outcomes and fairness of assessments using question and answer discussion forum platform compared with the more commonly used general discussion forum platform. With regards to the first initiative, the author undertook a case study of a policy of mandating assessment of engagement with self-paced classes at HBMSU between 2016 and 2017. Also, the author discusses findings from operational research to address the following questions: (1) How appropriate is the Q&A variant of online discussion forums in facilitating both cooperative and collaborative learning? (2) How may course facilitators equitably grade online learning individual and collaborative learning activities using Q&A discussion forums?

“I Feel Abused by My Own Mind”: Themes of Control in Men’s Online Accounts of Living With Anxiety

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (13) ◽  
pp. 2118-2131
Author(s):  
Phoebe G. Drioli-Phillips ◽  
Melissa Oxlad ◽  
Rebecca Feo ◽  
Brett Scholz ◽  
Amanda LeCouteur
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
The Self ◽  
Loss Of Control ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Discursive Psychology ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Independent Entity

Men’s experiences with anxiety are under-researched and poorly understood. Existing research gives little indication of how men talk about anxiety in situ, and little is known about how men describe their experiences of anxiety. Online discussion forums provide an opportunity to conduct naturalistic observations of how men describe their experiences with anxiety without the influence of a researcher. Thematic analysis, informed by principles of discursive psychology, was used to examine 130 opening posts to an online anxiety discussion forum. One superordinate theme, where anxiety is constructed as a loss of control, was identified. Analysis of this overarching theme generated three themes relating to how posters described a loss of control: (a) anxiety as an immobilizing force, (b) anxiety as an independent entity, and (c) anxiety as a dualist construction of the self. Our analysis has clear implications for developing and improving interventions for men experiencing anxiety.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing mediatization: Is `Have your say´ a kind of transnational public sphere for public deliberation?

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
António Alberto Castro Baía Reis
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Public Deliberation ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Present Essay ◽  
News Website ◽  
Do So

<p>The present essay aims to reflect on the questions of how the <em>BBC</em> news website discussion forum <em>Have your say</em> is organized and to what extent it can be considered as a transnational or global public sphere for public deliberation. In order to do so, one must firstly look at this discussion forum in terms of its structure, so that we can comprehend in a descriptive and formal way what is <em>Have your say</em>. Then, to try to understand and suggest what exactly <em>Have your say</em> is in terms of the possibility of being a global public sphere for public deliberation, one must tackle into a reflection that encompasses the concepts of transnational/global public sphere (Habermas, 1996; Castells, 2008), public deliberation (Pateman, 1970; Drvzek, 2000; Abelson et al., 2003), as well as some mediation/mediatization paradigms. The goal of this essay is to provide an objective academic reflection by attempting to frame this specific online phenomenon within the concepts above mentioned, to ultimately argue and prove that online discussion forums such as <em>Have your say</em> are by definition ambivalent. </p>

scholarly journals Understanding Issues Affecting Students’ Commitment to Online Discussion Forums in Undergraduate Courses

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Semiyu Adejare Aderibigbe ◽  
Jacqueline Maria Dias ◽  
Mini Sara Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Faculty Support ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Research Questions

<p class="0abstract">This study explored students’ commitment and factors impacting their commitment to the online discussion forums that complement teaching and learning in two undergraduate courses. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative strategies, we collected and analyzed data to address our research questions. The findings indicate that students are committed to online discussion forums in this study, which seemed to be impacted by students’ technological skills and exciting topics. Even so, a few students were not as committed as they would have liked because the platform was new, and they needed time to adapt to the learning platform. That said, our findings reveal that students’ commitment to and engagement in the online discussion forum can be fostered with faculty support, exciting topics, and time to understand the new learning terrain.</p>

PEMANFAATAN TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI DAN KOMUNIKASI (TIK) PADA RHJFOX SEBAGAI FORUM DISKUSI

CCIT Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-164
Author(s):  
Dewi Immaniar Desrianti ◽  
Lusyani Sunarya ◽  
Dwi Fitri Parmania
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
Information And Communication

The sophistication of information and communication technology (ICT) especially in the field of internet is very supportive and easier to find information by using a web browser as a medium, one of the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) is an online discussion forum as access to discuss various things. Discussion forums active role as a communication medium that exists with the purpose of giving opinions, motivation, solutions, and information related to the ongoing discussion in the forum. Along with the development of non-formal learning methods, discussion forums are now made by several campuses in Indonesia, which aims to provide solutions to the students to be more active in asking and able to provide accurate answers or opinions thus indirectly the discussion forum turned into a place of learning non- formal distance can be done without face to face (ilearning learning methods). The problem is access to the previous discussion forum where discussions are time limitations in the delivery time, require each member to take the time to meet face to face and also requires that each member be in one (1) point for the purpose of exchanging information. Online discussion forums is an efficient solution is flexible and does not remember much each member has the same time, by making use of information and communication technology (ICT) is one of the colleges make online discussion forums as a forum of discussion among students, faculty and staff at the college incorporated as members so that the members can ask questions and provide solutions, and argue about related questions to give you an idea - an idea that is easy to understand that is packaged specifically for non-learning activities fomal online and without a time bound access. RhjFox is a communication medium in the form of active online discussion forum developed by the university, with a discussion of the division of the categories created to facilitate the members to interact and search for information on the desired topic of discussion in the discussion forum. RhjFox is a contribution to improving the quality of interaction and discussion without the limitations of time and face to face which involves students, faculty and staff members who had previously performed only discussion forum at the time and the same place

From Active Reading to Active Dialogue

2012 ◽  
pp. 1717-1735
Author(s):  
Cindy Xin ◽  
Geoffrey Glass ◽  
Andrew Feenberg ◽  
Eva Bures ◽  
Phil Abrami
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussion ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Active Reading ◽  
Learning Management

Our research aims to improve online discussion forums. The authors identify typical problems in online discussion that create difficulties for learners and describe a pedagogical approach emphasizing the importance of moderating in dealing with these problems. The usual design of discussion forums in learning management systems is not helpful but can be improved by specific add-ons. The authors describe a software add-on to the Moodle discussion forum called Marginalia that was designed to implement our preferred pedagogy. They focus on annotation, aiding the retrieval of archived material, helping participants build upon one another’s ideas, and encouraging participants to write “weaving” messages that connect ideas and summarize the discourse. Preliminary studies of this software found a number of uses, some of them unexpected. The chapter concludes with an analysis of two trial classes employing Marginalia.

scholarly journals The Impact of Contact Sessions and Discussion Forums on the Academic Performance of Open Distance Learning Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Discussion Forum ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Examination Preparation

<p class="3">This study investigated the impact of face-to-face contact sessions and online discussion forums on the academic performance of students at an Open Distance Learning (ODL) university (N = 1,015). <em>t</em>-Tests for independent samples indicated that students who attended a written assignment preparation contact session performed significantly better in the written assignment than those students who did not attend this contact session [<em>t</em>(813) = 4.64, p = 0.00]; students who attended an examination preparation contact session did not perform significantly better in the examination than those students who did not attend this contact session [<em>t</em>(892) = 1.12, p = 0.26]; while students who used an online discussion forum performed significantly better in the final examination than those students who did not use this forum [<em>t</em>(1,013) = 4.04, p = 0.00]. Reasons for these mixed results are subsequently discussed. The study also found that the attendance of contact sessions and the utilisation of an online discussion forum by students were extremely low, and possible reasons for this are also given. Implications for the use of contact sessions and online discussion forums to improve the academic performance of ODL students are also discussed.</p>

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