Discussion Forums as a Learning Material in Higher Education Institutions

Discussion forums, which have more features among the tools used in the online group discussion process, are the most preferred learning tool in this process. Instructors, from elementary school to college often use online discussion forums to encourage interaction and complex thinking that are not always effective in traditional face-to-face learning situations. Discussion forums are a tool that enables learners to create information, collaborate and interact simultaneously or asynchronously in the online learning environment. In addition, it allows more time for all learners to reflect on their own ideas and respond to other learners in the learning process. However, it is seen that there are not enough studies on the usability of discussion forums, which are an effective learning material used in online learning environments. From this point of view, this study investigates the usability of discussion forums in online learning environments. In this study, in which qualitative research method was used, the opinions of 8 field experts determined by purposeful sampling method were consulted in the context of the use of discussion forums in online learning environments. With the investigation of the usability of discussion forums in online learning environments, it is predicted that the efficiency to be obtained from these environments will increase.

Methods of Mining User-Generated Online Substance Use Data: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Social media and online discussion forums offer a unique data source for medical and public health research. Using these platforms, people who use drugs often discuss valuable information including adverse effects, formulations, and reasons for use. OBJECTIVE Since this data is often unstructured, text and data mining methods are required to extract and analyze these posts systematically. This scoping review summarizes the literature on text and data mining methods for online substance use content. METHODS Online databases including PubMed and EMBASE were searched to identify articles meeting the eligibility criteria. Titles and abstracts were first screened by two reviewers and any conflicts were resolved with discussion. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers using an identical template to record information. Any disagreements were resolved with discussion. RESULTS The search identified 1131 articles, 26 of which were included for data extraction. Most articles presented unique data mining methods. The five most common strategies included sentiment analysis, topic modeling, data classification, clustering, and association learning. CONCLUSIONS Data mining offers a valuable avenue for retrieving useful information from online discussion forums to supplement conventional data sources in medical and public health research. With respect to substance use content, association learning and regression analysis were particularly well-suited for analyzing this data. Future research should focus on confirming the validity and reliability of these data mining methods, while establishing links between data mining, clinical evaluation, and knowledge translation.

The impact of career focused online discussion forums

This mixed method research project investigated the impact and utility of online discussion forums (ODFs) hosted by the The Open University (UK) Careers and Employability Services in supporting the career identity, learning and development of Open University students. Despite a substantial evidence base underpinning the use of ODFs within online learning environments for pedagogical applications there is a paucity of scholarly activity linking student participation within ODFs for specific career learning and career development purposes. In addressing this gap, this novel research draws upon influential career theory relating to career learning and career identity to situate student and staff perceptions of careers focussed ODFs and their impact. To achieve this the interactions of higher education students were analysed within six selected ODFs whilst more in-depth insights were captured through student questionnaires and staff interviews. The findings of this study demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of ODFs for the growth of career identity and learning, and also as a space where critical community inquiry can occur, contributing to deeper approaches to learning for participants.

Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Melanotan II (MT II) is a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that, via interaction with the melanocortin 1 receptor, induces skin hyperpigmentation. The unregulated acquisition of MT II injections via the internet and other outlets has become popular over the last decades in order to exploit its properties for use as a tanning agent. Due to the covert nature of MT II use, it is difficult to assess the extent of its use among the general population and to characterise any associated side effects. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine MT II use, as portrayed on online forums, and to explore the motivations for its use and side effect profile. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data were extracted retrospectively from UK and Ireland online chatrooms and forums from January 2016 to October 2017. Inclusion criteria were active MT II chatrooms and forums considered to be within the public domain. An inductive thematic analysis identified themes within discussion threads. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 623 discussion entries were extracted; 205 participants contributed to these entries. Emergent themes included motivation for MT II use, misinformation in the context of using an unregulated product, product preparation and administration, dosing regimens, sunbed use, side effects and concerning practices associated with MT II use. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Motivations for MT II use included the pursuit of a tanned appearance, often in anticipation of sun holidays and fitness/body building competitions. Clinicians should be aware not only of the potential risks in relation to pigmented skin lesions, but also remain cognisant of the other medical hazards associated with the use of this substance, namely transmission of infectious diseases, use of potentially contaminated products, polypharmacy, and sunbed exposure.

Development of Criticality in Thought: A Conceptual Framework for Online Student Discussion Forums in Higher Education

Assessing student understanding and extending student learning beyond the face-to-face or synchronous online lesson is commonly done with the use of online discussion forums. However, the challenge reported by tutors of higher education has always been the lack of active participation and critical engagement by students unless the task is graded formally. Researchers have been investigating various approaches to facilitate effective learning experiences such that students are motivated to engage others when they are tasked to partake in such asynchronous discussions. This paper explores how I sought to engage my Engineering undergraduate students, reading a critical thinking and writing module taught in a blended learning environment, in online discussion forums with the adoption of the Paul-Elder critical thinking framework. The aim was to develop higher levels of criticality in thought in students’ forum responses, while demonstrating the application of the critical thinking tools, such that they were able to collaboratively construct knowledge and deepen their conceptual understanding of Engineering leadership. Results of the analysis found that students were engaged in spontaneous dialogic discussions in the form of repeated extended posts published in the online discussion forums. Furthermore, analysis of student critical reflection essays also confirmed that the online discussion forums, with a deliberate use of the tools of the framework, had contributed to their development of critical thinking skills to deepen their understanding. This paper concludes with a recommendation for tutors of higher education to make the assessment of students’ critical reflection or critical thinking skills visible for students with a proposed conceptual framework for online discussion forums.

Online monthly discussion module of simulation-based teaching: Effect on knowledge

Online discussion forums engage learners in higher-level thinking, allowing them to explore topics in much greater depth. One such formal online professional discussion platform is the two-year Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) Fellowship offered by the Christian Medical College Ludhiana (CMCL) - FAIMER Regional Institute (CMCL-FRI). In this study, we report the results of a survey conducted among FAIMER fellows after attending online discussions on Simulation-based teaching (SBT) to evaluate their change in knowledge levels on the topic. This was a retrospective analysis of pre-moderation and post-moderation questionnaire responses. The questions/statements were designed to cover the entire range of topics planned to be discussed during the moderation month.: While the median score between the pre-moderation and post-moderation month questionnaires remained the same, the average score showed an increase from 9.5 to 10.37. The number of fellows who scored the maximum possible score of 12 showed a significant increase from 2.94% to 23.33% between the pre-session to the post-moderation month questionnaires (p-value=0.015). The percentage of respondents who answered the questions correctly in the post-moderation month questionnaire showed an increase over the pre-moderation month questionnaire in 10 out of 12 questions, with the increase being highly significant in 2 out of these 10 questions. Attending online ML web discussions leads to an increase in knowledge levels among participants and is an effective way to introduce medical educationists to essential concepts in medical education.