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Engaging and Effective Asynchronous Online Discussion Forums

  • Conference paper
Software Engineering, Business Continuity, and Education (ASEA 2011)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 257))

Abstract

Discussion is usually considered a powerful tool for the development of pedagogical skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and reflection. In the last few years, an online asynchronous discussion forum has become an integral part of teaching and learning in tertiary education. However, there are considerable challenges involved in designing discussion forum for learning and teaching arrangements that can support desired learning outcomes. The study analysed the factors that affect the level of the student participation in the online discussion forums with emphases on some of the critical issues that should be taken into account when designing online discussions forums that can support desired learning outcomes. We show that the course instructor roles and level of participations in the discussion forum particularly determines the overall level of discussion among the learning communities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia

    Jemal Abawajy

  2. Department of Multimedia Engineering, Hannam University, Daejeon, Korea

    Tai-hoon Kim

Authors
  1. Jemal Abawajy
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  2. Tai-hoon Kim
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Multimedia Engineering Department, Hannam University, 133 Ojeong-dong, Daeduk-gu, Daejeon, Korea

    Tai-hoon Kim

  2. The Ohio State University, 470 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue, 43210-1275, Columbus, OH, USA

    Hojjat Adeli

  3. Catholic University of Daegu, South Korea

    Haeng-kon Kim

  4. Dept. of Computer Engineering, Mokwon University, 800, Doan-dong, Seo-gu, 302-729, Daejeon, Korea

    Heau-jo Kang

  5. Woosuk University, 565-701, Jeollabuk-do, Korea

    Kyung Jung Kim

  6. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, USA

    Akingbehin Kiumi

  7. School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Byeong-Ho Kang

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Abawajy, J., Kim, Th. (2011). Engaging and Effective Asynchronous Online Discussion Forums. In: Kim, Th., et al. Software Engineering, Business Continuity, and Education. ASEA 2011. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 257. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27207-3_75

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27207-3_75

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27206-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27207-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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