Using Design-Based Research to Develop Meaningful Online Discussions in Undergraduate Field Experience Courses

Authors

  • Carol Johnson University of Calgary
  • Laurie Hill St. Mary's University
  • Jennifer Lock University of Calgary
  • Noha Altowairiki University of Calgary
  • Christopher Ostrowski
  • Luciano da Rosa dos Santos Mount Royal University
  • Yang Liu University of Calgary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i6.2901

Keywords:

instructional design, online discussions, deep learning, participation

Abstract

From a design perspective, the intentionality of students to engage in surface or deep learning is often experienced through prescribed activities and learning tasks. Educators understand that meaningful learning can be furthered through the structural and organizational design of the online environment that motivates the student towards task completion. However, learning engagement is unique for each student. It is dependent on both how students learn and their intentions for learning. Based on this challenge, the design of online discussions becomes a pedagogical means in developing students’ intentionality for the adoption of strategies leading to deep learning. Through a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, iterative design of online learning components for undergraduate field experience courses were studied. For this paper, the focus of the research is on examining factors that influenced deep and surface levels of learning in online discussion forums. The results indicate that design factors (i.e., student engagement, group structures, and organization) influence the nature and degree of deep learning. From the findings, two implications for practice are shared to inform the design and scaffolding of online discussion forums to foster deep approaches to student learning.

Author Biographies

Carol Johnson, University of Calgary

Werklund School of Education

Laurie Hill, St. Mary's University

Faculty of Education

Jennifer Lock, University of Calgary

Associate Dean, Werklund School of Education

Published

2017-09-25

How to Cite

Johnson, C., Hill, L., Lock, J., Altowairiki, N., Ostrowski, C., da Rosa dos Santos, L., & Liu, Y. (2017). Using Design-Based Research to Develop Meaningful Online Discussions in Undergraduate Field Experience Courses. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 18(6). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i6.2901

Issue

Section

Research Articles