ERIC Number: EJ842358
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jul
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1537-2456
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Design Considerations for Today's Online Learners: A Study of Personalized, Relationship-Based Social Awareness Information
Heo, Misook
International Journal on E-Learning, v8 n3 p293-311 Jul 2009
This article examined online learners' preferences in personalized, relationship-based social awareness information sharing in course management systems. Three hundred seventy-seven online learners' willingness to share social awareness information was measured through a national survey. Results indicated that today's online learners are open minded in sharing social awareness information and their trust of course management systems is high. They prefer sharing information with more authoritative figures such as teachers. Differences among age groups existed, but none of the generations were consistently more open in sharing social awareness information. Overall, a strong preference in personalized, relationship-based social awareness information sharing was found. Instructors of online courses and designers of course management systems need to consider these characteristics of today's online learners in their design. This would help online learners to acknowledge themselves as feeling, intentional, thinking, and social human beings. This will cause improved learner interaction and engagement and eventually a successful online learning experience. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Computer Mediated Communication, Asynchronous Communication, Instructional Design, Integrated Learning Systems, Electronic Learning, Online Courses, Learning Experience, Interpersonal Competence, Student Attitudes, National Surveys, Age Differences, Interpersonal Relationship, College Students, Social Networks, Social Environment, College Instruction
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327-1545. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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