Categories: Technology, Communication Design
Summary:
Andresen sought to answer the question: As asynchronous discussion forums replace traditional classroom interactions, are they able to enhance the learning process? His article is a literature review of other articles on the subject. He concluded that "critical dimensions of learning occur", but believed that the findings also indicated it has limitations (p. 249).
Citation-worthy
Andresen saw " two components in the literature [emerge] as being particularly important for a successful asynchronous discussion forum: the role of the instructor and achieving deeper/higher learning" (Andresen, 2009, p.250).
"The relationship between the instructor and the learner need to change... Instructors needed to find new ways to express emotion, or passion for the subject matter" (Andresen, 2009, p. 250).
"Successful questions or discussion topics must be related to the learning objectives with clarity in due dates, expectations, and the weighting of grades so that learning objectives may become learning outcomes" (Guldberg and Pilkington, 2007; Majeski and Stover, 2007; in Andresen, 2009, p. 251).
"Equally important to the design of the asynchronous discussion forums is the level of intervention taken on by the instructor. ... The instructor can decrease learn-learner interaction because the learners begin to rely on the instructor to answer question, becoming the expert or sage to 'settle' debates. The instructor should intervene, but only in order to keep the discussion on track, or take on a cheerleading role to motivate the discussion" (Andresen, 2009,p. 251).
"The instructor's discussion design is more important that any specific technology used for asynchronous discussion forum. Knowledge construction only occurs because of careful planning: clear, well-defined, well-crafted questions and discussion topics. Without such planning and subsequent guidance, only lower levels of cognitive engagement will occur" (Andresen, 2009, p.252).
"Problem-solving discussions are difficult in an asynchronous environment. ... Posting a question or response regarding a concept, and waiting for someone to repy, is much differetn than waiting for someone to reply to your call for aid in solving a problem - one has a very specific desired end and the other does not, necessarily" (Andresen, 2009, p. 253).
