Understanding cognitive engagement in online discussions: Audio-based structured argumentation activity

• In Event: DDL - Online Discussions: Engaging and Feedback

Short Description

This session will present a qualitative study examining how adult learners engage in asynchronous online discussions via an audio-based, scaffolded argumentation approach. This study was conducted in two online graduate courses at a small liberal arts university. A content analysis of learners’ discourse and individual comments in the discussion activities, which is grounded in a dialogic argumentation assessment framework, revealed types of argumentative comments and the levels of the grounds in students’ argumentation. Practical implications for design of effective online discussion activities to improve learners’ cognitive engagement will be discussed.

Authors

• Eunjung Grace Oh, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Hyun Song Kim, The University of Georgia