Assessment of Asynchronous Online Discussions for a Constructive Online Learning Community

This paper proposes a new Online Learning Community Model for asynchronous online discussions (AODs) adapted from the Community of Inquiry Model. The new model highlights Assessment Presence as a new element interacting with and affecting student learning and the elements of Cognitive Presence, Social Presence, and Teaching Presence. An assessment rubric for AODs used for three graduate Cybersecurity technology classes is examined. The data and observations on student performance in AODs and student perceptions on the online learning environment indicate an effective and positive role of the rubric and assessment element in building a constructive online learning community.

[1]  Stephanie B. King.  Graduate Student Perceptions of the Use of Online Course Tools to Support Engagement , 2014 .

[2]  D. Garrison,et al.  Researching the community of inquiry framework: Review, issues, and future directions , 2007, Internet High. Educ..

[3]  Charlotte N. Gunawardena,et al.  Analysis of a Global Online Debate and the Development of an Interaction Analysis Model for Examining Social Construction of Knowledge in Computer Conferencing , 1997 .

[4]  Melissa Davidson,et al.  The Taxonomy of Learning , 2008, International anesthesiology clinics.

[5]  Diane L. Hughes,et al.  Participation in asynchronous online discussion forums does improve student learning of gross anatomy , 2014, Anatomical sciences education.

[6]  Karen Swan,et al.  Evaluating online conversation in an asynchronous learning environment: An application of Grice's cooperative principle , 2007, Internet High. Educ..

[7]  John A. Huss,et al.  The Perceptions of Students toward Online Learning at a Midwestern University: What are Students Telling Us and What Are We Doing About It? , 2013 .

[8]  Jemal Abawajy,et al.  Analysis of Asynchronous Online Discussion Forums for Collaborative Learning , 2012 .

[9]  James Daniel Lehman,et al.  The development of a content analysis model for assessing students’ cognitive learning in asynchronous online discussions , 2011 .

[10]  Karen Swan,et al.  Shaping Online Discussion: Assessment Matters , 2007 .

[11]  I. E. Allen,et al.  Grade Change: Tracking Online Education in the United States. , 2014 .

[12]  B. Bloom.  Taxonomy of educational objectives , 1956 .

[13]  Hong Lin,et al.  The Study of Achievement and Motivation by e-Learning-A Case Study , 2014 .

[14]  Selma Vonderwell,et al.  Asynchronous Discussions and Assessment in Online Learning , 2007 .

[15]  Linda A. Suskie.  Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense Guide , 2004 .

[16]  D. Randy Garrison,et al.  Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment: Computer Conferencing in Higher Education , 1999, Internet High. Educ..

[17]  Stefan Hrastinski,et al.  Asynchronous and synchronous e-learning : A study of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning methods discovered that each supports different purposes , 2008 .

[18]  Fei Gao,et al.  New Model of Productive Online Discussion and Its Implications for Research and Instruction , 2009 .

[19]  Kanya Wuttikietpaiboon.  Engaging Graduate Students in Rich Asynchronous Online Discussions. , 2012 .

[20]  Alfred P. Rovai,et al.  Facilitating online discussions effectively , 2007, Internet High. Educ..

[21]  Janette R. Hill,et al.  Improving online learning: Student perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics , 2004, Internet High. Educ..

[22]  Benjamin S. Bloom,et al.  Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals. , 1957 .

[23]  Kay Wijekumar,et al.  Problems with Assessment Validity and Reliability in Web-Based Distance Learning Environments and Solutions , 2006 .

[24]  Martin A. Andresen.  Asynchronous Discussion Forums: Success Factors, Outcomes, Assessments, and Limitations , 2009, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[25]  Benjamin S. Bloom,et al.  A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives , 2000 .

[26]  Aubteen Darabi,et al.  Cognitive presence in asynchronous online learning: a comparison of four discussion strategies , 2011, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[27]  W. Marsden.  I and J , 2012 .