The Effects of Using Online Q&A Discussion Forums with Different Characteristics as a Learning Resource

Eric Zhi Feng Liu, Shan Shan Cheng, Chun Hung Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Online Q&A discussion forums have recently become important information resources for students and studies have shown that online discussion forums have a positive influence on learning outcomes. However, it remains unclear how the specific characteristics of these forums contribute to this effect. This paper employed a set of evaluative criteria based on the tenets social cognitive theory to classify Q&A discussion forums according to the features they provide and the quality of the user experience. Experiments were conducted to determine how the characteristics of online Q&A discussion forums influence discussion behavior, the quality of discourse, and learning performance. Statistical results reveal that students using more elaborate online Q&A discussion forums are more likely to actively participate in online discussions, engaging at a higher cognitive level, and enjoying superior learning performance when compared to those using forums that are more rudimentary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)667-675
Number of pages9
JournalAsia-Pacific Education Researcher
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Discussion behaviors
  • Learning performance
  • Online discussion forum
  • Online learning resource

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