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Social Media For Informal Science Learning In China: A Case Study, Ke Zhang, Fei Gao
Social Media For Informal Science Learning In China: A Case Study, Ke Zhang, Fei Gao
Visual Communications and Technology Education Faculty Publications
This article reports a case study on a popular informal science learning community via social media in China, named GuoKr (meaning “nutshell” in English). Data were collected through a variety of Chinese social media and social networking sites, web-based community portals, and discussion boards. Content analyses and data mining were conducted to investigate how GuoKr successfully attracted and engaged public in informal learning on scientific topics in particular. The study found three key characteristics that contributed to the success of such learning communities: (a) utilizing a variety of social media to empower participants with just-in-time, accidental learning opportunities; (b) daily …
Exploring The Use Of Discussion Strategies And Labels In Asynchronous Online Discussion, Fei Gao
Exploring The Use Of Discussion Strategies And Labels In Asynchronous Online Discussion, Fei Gao
Visual Communications and Technology Education Faculty Publications
Drawing on research in both constrained online discussion environments and strategy instruction, this approach combines explicit instruction on discussion strategies with the use of post type labels. In a trial of this approach in an online course, students actively used the discussion strategies and post type labels in their discussion. Analysis of student posts and survey responses suggested that students in the experimental group used discussion strategies more frequently after the intervention as compared to the control group and perceived that this approach positively impacted their discussions. In addition, there is a certain degree of improvement in the quality of …