Student Motivation and Engagement in Online Discussion: Effect of Peer Moderators and Original Case Studies

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Motivation, Emotion, and Perception in Technology-Based Learning Environments

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of peer moderators and original case studies on student engagement in online discussion. Pairs of students in a graduate course worked collaboratively to create original case studies about course topics and subsequently moderated the discussion about the case study. Research questions included: 1. What are the patterns of students' interaction and knowledge construction in peer moderated online discussions about case studies? 2. How does peer moderation case method technique correlate to student motivation and engagement in online discussions? Qualitative and quantitative methods included content analysis of discussion postings and moderator reflections as well as statistical analysis of student responses to the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. Findings show high student engagement and interaction using these practices.

Authors

• Sara G. Mcneil, University of Houston

• Rashmi Chhetri, University of Houston