An Examination of Computer
Engineering Students’ Perceptions
about Asynchronous Discussion
Forums

Özcan Özyurt; Hacer Özyurt

doi:10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums

Full Text (PDF)

Özcan Özyurt ¹ ^* , Hacer Özyurt ¹

More Detail

¹ Karadeniz Technical University, TURKEY^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to reveal the usage profiles and perceptions of Asynchronous Discussion Forums (ADFs) of 126 computer engineering students from the Computer Engineering Department in a university in Turkey. By using a mixed methods research design both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Research findings indicated that the ADFs were frequently and effectively used by computer engineering students as a learning instrument. Another finding was that discussions in the ADFs were in the form of question-answer and resulted in important learning outcomes especially in eliminating the problems encountered by the students.

Keywords

computer-mediated communication
cooperative/collaborative learning
learning
communities
engineering education

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 9, Issue 4, 2013, 371-378

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

Publication date: 14 Dec 2013

Article Views: 1831

Article Downloads: 1273

Open Access References How to cite this article

References

Amhag, L., &Jakobssona, A. (2009).Collaborative learning as a collective competence when students use the potential of meaning in asynchronous dialogues. Computers & Education, 52(3), 656-667
An, H., Shin, S., & Lim, K. (2009).The effects of different instructor facilitation approaches on students’ interactions during asynchronous online discussions. Computers & Education, 53(3), 749-760
Andresen, M. A. (2009). Asynchronous discussion forums: success factors, outcomes, assessments, and limitations. Educational Technology & Society, 12(1), 249–257.
Bullen, M. (1998). Participation and critical thinking in online university distance education. Journal of Distance Education, 13(2), 1–32.
Chen, G. & Chiu, M.M. (2008). Online discussion processes: Effects of earlier messages’ evaluations, knowledge content, social cues and personal information on later messages. Computers & Education, 50 (2008) 678–692.
Ellis, A. (2003). Personality type and participation in networked learning environments. Educational Media International, 40(1–2), 101–114.
Garrison, D., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking, cognitive presence and computer conferencing in distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7–23
Hew, K.F., & Cheung, W.S.(2008). Attracting student participation in asynchronous online discussions: A case study of peer facilitation. Computers & Education, 51(3), 1111-1124.
Hou, H.-T., Chang, K.-E., & Sung, Y.-T.(2008). Analysis of Problem-Solving-Based Online Asynchronous Discussion Pattern. Educational Technology & Society, 11(1), 17-28.
Hrastinski, S. (2006). The relationship between adopting a synchronous medium and participation in online group work: An explorative study. Interactive Learning Environments, 14(2), 137–152.
Hrastinski, S. (2008). What is online learner participation? A literature review. Computers & Education, 51(4), 1755- 1765.
Jakobsson, A. (2006). Students’ self-confidence and learning through dialogues in a net-based environment. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14(2), 387–405.
Koh, J.H.L., Herring, S.C., & Hew, K.F. (2010). Project-based learning and student knowledge construction during asynchronous online discussion. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(4), 284-291
Kuboni, O., & Martin, A. (2004). An assessment of support strategies used to facilitate distance students’ participation in a web-based learning environment in the University of the West Indies. Distance Education, 25(1), 7–29.
La Pointe, K.D., &Gunawarndena, C. (2004). Developing testing and refining of a model to understand the relationship between peer interaction and learning outcomes in computer-mediated conferencing. Distance Education, 25(1), 93–106.
Liu, C.C., & Tsai, C.C. (2008). An analysis of peer interaction patterns as discoursed by on-line small group problemsolving activity. Computers & Education, 50(3), 627-639.
Lo, H.-C. (2009). Utilizing Computer-mediated Communication Tools for Problem-based Learning. Educational Technology & Society, 12 (1), 205–213.
Meyer, K. (2003). Face-to-face versus threaded discussions: The role of time and higher-order thinking. University of North Dakota, Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7(3), 55–65.
Olofsson, A.D. (2007). Participation in an educational online learning community, Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 10(4), 28–38.
Özçınar, H., & Öztürk, E. (2008). Student opinions about case discussions in online environments. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Educational Faculty, 5(2), 154-178.
Özyurt, H., & Özyurt, Ö. (2010). Investigation of english language learning activities in web-based environments including asynchronous discussion forums. e-Journal of New World Sciences Academy, 5(2), 538-548.
Özyurt, Ö., & Özyurt, H. (2011). Investigating the effect of asynchronous discussions on students’ learning and understanding of mathematics subjects. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 12(4), 17-33
Patriarcheasa, K., &Xenos, M. (2009). Modelling of distance education forum: Formal languages as interpretation methodology of messages in asynchronous text-based discussion. Computers & Education, 52(2), 438-448.
Saade, G. R., & Huang, Q. (2009). Meaningful Learning in Discussion Forums: Towards Discourse Analysis. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 6, 87-99.
Topçu, A. (2006). Gender difference in an online asynchronous discussion performance. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 5(4), 44-51.
Topçu, A., & Ubuz, B. (2008). The effects of metacognitive knowledge on the pre-service teachers’ participation in the asynchronous online forum. Educational Technology & Society, 11(3), 1-12.
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Yükseltürk, I. (2010). An investigation of factors affecting student participation level in an online discussion forum. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 9(2), 24-32.

How to cite this article

APA

Özyurt, Ö., & Özyurt, H. (2013). An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 9(4), 371-378. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

Vancouver

Özyurt Ö, Özyurt H. An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2013;9(4):371-8. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

AMA

Özyurt Ö, Özyurt H. An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2013;9(4), 371-378. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

Chicago

Özyurt, Özcan, and Hacer Özyurt. "An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2013 9 no. 4 (2013): 371-378. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

Harvard

Özyurt, Ö., and Özyurt, H. (2013). An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 9(4), pp. 371-378. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a

MLA

Özyurt, Özcan et al. "An Examination of Computer Engineering Students’ Perceptions about Asynchronous Discussion Forums". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 9, no. 4, 2013, pp. 371-378. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2013.941a