Poster #18 - Sense of Belonging in Context: How Different Online Discussion Modes and Students' Engagement Are Interconnected

• In Event: 25.087 - MTCC Poster Session Four
  In Poster Session: 25.087-3 - Distance and Online Education

Abstract

Our study aimed to examine how students’ sense of belonging in an academic course shaped and was shaped by their discursive engagement in three different discussion environments: traditional face-to-face (F2F) discussion as well as synchronous and asynchronous computer-mediated discussion (CMD) settings. Informed by participants’ (n=10) self-ratings and reflections of sense of belonging, we selected four focal participants who demonstrated interestingly contrasting patterns across the semester for an in-depth case study analysis. Our qualitatively-derived findings yielded three propositions that captured the focal participants’ emotional and cognitive perceptions about different CMD modes and how each mode influenced their sense of belonging and discursive engagement. Our findings illuminate how belongingness may work in unique ways for individuals situated in different online discussion environments.

Authors

• Jeonghyun Jonna Lee, The University of Texas at Austin

• Allison Zengilowski, The University of Texas at Austin

• Rachel E. Gaines, Kennesaw State University

• J. Hannah Park, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Eunjeong Choi, City University of Seattle

• Diane L. Schallert, The University of Texas at Austin