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ERIC Number: EJ1232600
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Dec
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-2395
EISSN: N/A
How Group Size and Structure of Online Discussion Forums Influence Student Engagement and Learning
Peddibhotla, Naren; Jani, Arpan
Journal of Educational Technology Systems, v48 n2 p225-254 Dec 2019
There are many challenges to simulate the experience of a professional facing a complex situation in a discussion of a case study using an online discussion forum. The current research examines the role of two aspects of discussion forum format (group size and discussion structure) on two outcome variables (student engagement and learning). We hypothesized that more structured discussions would better enable student learning but be worse in facilitating student engagement compared with less structured discussions. We also hypothesized that larger group sizes will be more conducive to student learning but be less effective at student engagement when compared with smaller group sizes. Our study found that neither discussion forum structure nor group size influenced either student engagement or learning independently. However, they did have a significant interaction effect on both student learning and student engagement.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A