Towards an understanding of "listening" in online discussions: A cluster analysis of learners' interaction patterns

Alyssa Friend Wise, Farshid Marbouti, Jennifer Speer, Ying Ting Hsiao

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Conducting learning conversations through online discussion forums differs from face-to-face conversations as learners can be selective in what comments they choose to "listen" to, when they chose to do so, and how long they spend attending to them. Using cluster analysis of learners' click-stream data from an online discussion forum, this study identified three patterns of behaviors that differentiate between learners: Superficial Listeners, Intermittent Talkers; Concentrated Listeners, Integrated Talkers; and Broad Listeners, Reflective Talkers. Clusters differed in the amount of time spent listening, number of posts attended to, number and length of their sessions, and number of own posts contributed and reviewed. Clusters did not differ in percentage of posts scanned (vs. read), time to compose posts, length of posts made, or final course grades. Results are compared to interaction styles found for other online tools and implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConnecting Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning to Policy and Practice
Subtitle of host publicationCSCL 2011 Conference Proceedings - Long Papers, 9th International Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference
Pages88-95
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2011
Event9th International Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference: Connecting Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning to Policy and Practice, CSCL 2011 - Hong Kong, China
Duration: Jul 4 2011Jul 8 2011

Publication series

NameConnecting Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning to Policy and Practice: CSCL 2011 Conference Proceedings - Long Papers, 9th International Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference
Volume1

Other

Other9th International Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference: Connecting Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning to Policy and Practice, CSCL 2011
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period7/4/117/8/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Science Applications

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