The Like Button as a Tool to Ground Online Discourse

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Online Teaching and Learning Poster Session

Abstract

Difficulties continue to be reported about the lack of verbal and visual cues, the high cost of grounding conversations, and the uncertainty and frustration that learners feel when their contributions are not taken up in online discussions. Recent studies have begun to explore alternative ways to develop and sustain productive online discourse. This study explores this problem through the use of a Like button as a low-cost mechanism to interact with each other’s discussion posts. This study examines a finding based on earlier research where students reported that they used the Like button as an acknowledgement. An analysis of student Liking patterns reveals that the use of the Like button for acknowledgement is pervasive in graduate discussion-based courses.

Author

• Alexandra Makos, University of Toronto - OISE