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Fostering online learning at the workplace: A scheme to identify and analyse collaboration processes in asynchronous discussions
Author(s) -
Schaefer Teresa,
Rahn Johanna,
Kopp Tobias,
Fabian Claudia Magdalena,
Brown Alan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/bjet.12617
Subject(s) - asynchronous communication , knowledge management , online discussion , context (archaeology) , facilitation , computer mediated communication , collaborative learning , computer science , psychology , the internet , world wide web , computer network , paleontology , neuroscience , biology
Abstract Research has shown that providing participants with high‐quality learning material is not sufficient to help them profit most from online education. The level of interaction among participants is another key determinant for learning outcomes. However, merely proposing interaction does not automatically lead to fruitful discussion and collaboration. Specifically, social presence and facilitation activities add value to online discussions. In Murphy's collaboration framework, social presence represents the basis of successful online collaboration from which more reflective discussions and co‐construction can evolve. In this paper, an adjusted version of this framework was applied in a workplace learning context. The content analysis of 1170 comments in an online course for careers practitioners of a public employment service showed that the extended framework generated deeper insights into the dynamics of online discussions. The results show that involvement in collaborative learning at the workplace was supported by a high social presence and influenced by course topic and tasks. Facilitation played an important role in creating a sympathetic sense of community and stimulating co‐creation processes.