ERIC Number: EJ1142366
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1449-9789
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Available Date: N/A
The Structure of Discussions in an Online Communication Course: What Do Students Find Most Effective?
Jacobi, Laura
Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, v14 n1 Article 11 2017
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the asynchronous discussions were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Surveys from 27 student participants were used, with questions focused upon the structure of discussions in the online course as compared to other online courses and to traditional classrooms. Results indicate structured and relevant discussion prompts, small group placement, visible postings, and required weekly postings as significant factors to student success. The majority of students also found online discussions more effective than live discussions in traditional classrooms. Many of the findings offer support for Garrison, Anderson, and Archer's (2000) Community of Inquiry (COI) Model and previous research on effective strategies in structuring online discussions.
Descriptors: Discourse Analysis, Computer Mediated Communication, Online Courses, Student Attitudes, Asynchronous Communication, College Students, Student Surveys, Communities of Practice, Prompting, Small Group Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Time on Task, Time Management, Computer Assisted Testing, Student Participation
University of Wollongong. Available from: Centre for Educational Development and Interactive Resources. Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Tel: +61-2-4221-3140; Fax: +61-2-4225-8312; e-mail: jutlp@uow.edu.au; Web site: http://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A