Abstract
Time plays a fundamental role to benefit and challenge the online discussion. It allows considering the temporal aspect both for analyzing of how learning takes places through online discussion, and for designing effective structures to support discussion activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal patterns of group and individuals participation in the discussion forum. Data were collected from the logs and the postings of college students. This study firstly investigated the temporal patterns of group participation in the discussion forum, and then analyzed how promptness and initiative of individuals in online discussion related with their grades at the end of the semester. Results revealed that students posted mainly in the first 23 days and among deadline. Students preferred discussing with others around the course content after they learned something related as soon as possible. They were willing to post in the morning and evening. There was strong relationship between students’ promptness and initiative of the online discussion and their grades. Reasons for these results were discussed.
Highlights
Online discussion deals with the time and space restrictions that occur in traditional class
Students had the course on Monday and Wednesday, and the topic was related to the content. They preferred discussing the something related to the course content as soon as possible after they learned
In this paper we took some initial steps to characterize the ways in which students engaged with the online discussion forum
Summary
Online discussion deals with the time and space restrictions that occur in traditional class. It allows students to seek help, offer advice, and receive others’ perceptions by reading and responding to postings [1]. Students could take as much time as they needed to reflect on the others’ perceptions and to contribute their own ideas in responses at their own convenience [4]. That means students could compose thoughts at their own speed rather than rushing to comment before others move on [5].The asynchrony of online discussion, which refers to communication across “delayed time” [6], presents challenges to meaningful conversation. Students must log in to the discussion forum repeatedly and wait for unknown and variable amounts of time for responses to their comments [7]. Longer response times can inhibit students' expectations and need for acknowledgement [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
