You are here:

Encouraging Student Participation in an On-Line Course Using "Pull" Initiatives
ARTICLE

, ,

Electronic Journal of e-Learning Volume 4, Number 1 ISSN 1479-4403

Full Text

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study involving initiatives that encouraged students to log onto online courses in entrepreneurship delivered by the University of Glamorgan. The aim of the research was to explore items of interest to the online students that may increase participation in the forums and hence potentially enhanced engagement with the course module. The online tutor created additional forums within the discussion board of the virtual learning environment (VLE) that included a variety of online games and quizzes that were relative to the module topic. The rationale that underpinned this initiative was to reduce the possible blandness of the VLE as perceived by some students. The games and quizzes were carefully designed to enhance knowledge in the subject and thereby provided additional learning opportunities. The initiative was also thought to assist in the formation of an online learning community. The study involved experimentation by the online tutor with subsequent observation of the behavioural patterns of the students. In one module, the dedicated social and games forums attracted 54% of the total postings for the module. The findings suggest that including online quizzes and games that are relevant to the taught subject can increase the participation levels of the students and possibly enhance the learning process. The findings of this study may inform the design, development and delivery of online learning programmes. The findings also inform strategies of good practice in online moderation and may help to reduce withdrawal rates, which are typically high in the field of e-learning (Potashnik and Capper, 1998).

Citation

Peachey, P., Jones, P. & Jones, A. Encouraging Student Participation in an On-Line Course Using "Pull" Initiatives. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 4(1), 67-78. Retrieved August 11, 2024 from .

This record was imported from ERIC on February 24, 2017. [Original Record]

ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.

Copyright for this record is held by the content creator. For more details see ERIC's copyright policy.

Keywords

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. Blanchette, J. (2001). Questions in the online learning environment. Journal of Distance Education, Vol.16, No. 2.
  2. Canning, R. (2002). Distance or Dis-tancing education? A case study in technology-based learning. Journal of Further and Higher Education, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp 29-42.
  3. Fox, B. (2000). Teaching online reluctantly. In D. Murphy, R. Walker and G. Webb, (Eds.), (2001). Online learning and teaching with technology: Case studies, experience and practice, (pp 55-62). London: Kogan Page.
  4. Kear, K. (2004). Peer learning using asynchronous discussion systems in distance education. Open Learning, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp 151-164.
  5. Lewis, D. And Allan, B. (2005). Virtual learning communities: A guide for practitioners. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
  6. Neal, L. (2005). Elearning and fun: A report from the CHI 2005 special interest group. Elearn Magazine, published 7/05/05. Retrieved 30 July, 2005, from http://elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practicesandarticle=31-1
  7. Noble, D.F. (2002). Digital diploma mills: The automation of higher education. Toronto: Monthly Review Press.
  8. Palloff, R.M. And Pratt, K. (2001). Lessons from the cyberspace classroom: The realities of online teaching. San Francisco, California: Jossey Bass.
  9. Parker, A. (1999). Interaction in distance education. Educational Technology Review. Autumn/Winter, pp 13-17.
  10. Peachey, P. (2004). A research study into the characteristics and dynamics of online learning communities involving different underpinning pedagogical frameworks. Unpublished doctorate thesis. Www.ejel.org Peachey Paul et al
  11. Peachey, P., Jones, W.P. & Jones, A. (2005). An empirical study of 'pull' initiatives used to encourage student participation in an online enterprise course. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Conference in E-Learning, Amsterdam, November 10-11.
  12. Peters, O. (1993). Understanding distance education. In K. Harry, M. John and D. Keegan, (Eds.), Distance education: New perspectives, London: Routledge.
  13. Potashnik, M. And Capper, J. (1998). Distance education growth and diversity. Finance and Development, pp 42-45,
  14. Rheingold, H.L. (1995). The virtual community: Finding connection in a computerized world. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
  15. Stefanov, K., Stoyanov, S. And Nikolov, R. (1998). Design issues of a distance learning course on business on the Internet. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol. 14, pp 83-90.
  16. Valenta, A. And Therriault, D. (2001). Identifying student attitudes and learning styles in distance education. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp 111-127.

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References

Links