Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Analyzing Online Asynchronous Discussions With A Visual Data Analytic Tool (Snapp), John Mccormick, Heather Tillberg-Webb

Staff Scholarship

In the “age of globalization,” construction of effective learning environments takes into account the development of a community of inquiry and incorporates visual tools for quick evaluation of the vibrancy of the learning environment. Discussion forums are an essential tool for co-construction of knowledge in a community of practice (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and for supporting a Community of Inquiry model (Garrison et al, 2003). For the purposes this session, effective online discussions are communications that build community and take place in forums designed for threaded, text-based interaction that help learners:

• Attain course learning outcomes

• Understand course content through collaborative …