The Impact of Task Type on Learners’ Online Interaction Patterns

• In Event: Interaction and Collaboration in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Task type is a fundamental element that directs learners’ interactions and how they collaborate to learn. The study examines students’ online behaviours and process of knowledge construction when performing different discussion tasks. Clickstream data and post contents were collected and used to compute 17 participation and five knowledge construction variables for 23 groups of students participating in five-day online discussions to solve video cases in a blended undergraduate business course. Initial t-test results showed no significant difference in quantitative indicators of students’ participation levels; all student groups read over half of others’ posts and contributed more posts than required. Analysis of knowledge construction and idea development patterns is underway to flesh out the quality of discussion resulting from the tasks.

Authors

• Ying-Ting Hsiao, Simon Fraser University

• Alyssa F. Wise, Simon Fraser University

• Farshid Marbouti, Purdue University