creators_name: Arendt, Hannah
creators_name: Matic, Ivan
creators_name: Zhu, Lin
creators_id: haarendt@libimseti.cz
creators_id: iva2158534@maricopa.edu
creators_id: lin.zhu@ome.ac.cn
type: preprint
datestamp: 2012-11-09 19:44:14
lastmod: 2012-11-09 19:44:14
metadata_visibility: show
title: Qualitative analysis of academic group and discussion forum on Facebook
subjects: comp-sci-art-intel
full_text_status: public
keywords: E-learning, evaluation, Facebook group, online discussion forums, qualitative analysis.
abstract: In the present study, data was triangulated and two methods of data analysis were used. Qualitative analysis was undertaken of free-text data from students’ reflective essaysto extract socially-related themes. Heuristic evaluation was conducted by expert evaluators, who investigated forum contributions and discourse in line with contemporary learning theory and considered the social
culture of participation. Findings of the qualitative analysis of students’ perceptions and results of the
heuristic evaluation of forum participation confirmed each other, indicating a warm social climate and a conducive, well-facilitated environment that supported individual styles of participation. It fostered interpersonal relationships between distance learners, as well as study-related benefits enhanced by peer teaching and insights acquired in a culture of social negotiation. The environment was effectively moderated, while supporting student-initiative.

date: 2012-07-05
date_type: submitted
refereed: TRUE
citation:   Arendt, Dr Hannah and Matic, Dr Ivan and Zhu, Dr Lin  (2012) Qualitative analysis of academic group and discussion forum on Facebook.  [Preprint]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/8281/1/Qualitative%20analysis%20of%20academic%20group%20and%20discussion%20forum%20on%20Facebook.pdf