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Exploring The Impact Of Discussion Interfaces On Diversified Interconnectivity In Online Learning Communities, Hoda Harati, Eri Ono, James K Ingram, Nesma Ragab Nasr, Cherng-Jyh Yen, Chih-Hsiung Tu

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Asynchronous online discussions are widely recognized as potent pedagogical practices for actively involving learners in the process of constructing knowledge and cultivating a thriving learning community. This study examined how the types of online discussion threads (i.e., student-based vs. topic-based) moderate diverse of social interconnection in discussions and how it changes over time. An upward trajectory in the diversification of interconnectivity was discerned. In spite of the shift from student-based to topic-based, students continue valuing the power of diversified interconnecting with their classmates. The significant drop, but transitory, from Week 3 to 4 can be explained by the switch to …