A Study of Online Discussion Types in Web-Based Environment
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate what kinds of message types and message interactions students create according to two different types (debate and free discussion) of online discussions. Research site was an undergraduate course in a cyber university in Korea. Research participants were forty three students enrolled in the course. Students’ messages posted in an online discussion board were collected as data and content analysis was conducted for data analysis. This study shows that students tend to produce different types of messages and message interactions according to each discussion type. The finding suggests that different teaching strategies are needed to develop for active online discussions.
Presider: David Smith, on leave