An Analysis of Participation and Interaction Patterns in an Online Learning Community: A Case Study

• In Event: Roundtable Session 51
  In Roundtable Session: Social Networking and Online Learning Space in Instructional Technology

Abstract

This case study investigated interaction and participation patterns in an online course at a Midwest public university in the US. Sixteen graduate students enrolled for the course were divided into three groups. The present study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of online discussion forums in knowledge construction. The conceptual model of this study is based on the constructivist learning theory. The findings of the study are congruent with similar previous studies. The inter-rater reliability was relatively high compared to some previous studies. A limitation of this study is that only one online course with a small number of students was examined. The study also recommends exploring the role of instructor’s feedback on knowledge building.

Authors

• Zuheir N Khlaif, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Hamid Nadiruzzaman, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Kyungbin Kwon, Indiana University - Bloomington