Factors Influencing Interaction and Cognitive Engagement in Online Discussions in an Undergraduate Course of Nursing

Nimira Asif*, Samina Vertejee**, Sharifa Lalani***
* Senior Instructor, Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi, Pakistan.
**-*** Assistant Professor, Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi, Pakistan.
Periodicity:October - December'2016
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.13.3.8319

Abstract

Educational technology is now widely used in education and offers a great support in distance education. This research paper is a second part of the study which analysed the types and levels of cognitive engagement; this paper has identified the factors that affected on the cognitive engagement in the online discussion forums, within undergraduate nursing students of post basic nursing curriculum, in the course of Professional development Leadership and Management. Moreover, this was one of the subsidiary questions, focusing on possible contributing factors for variation in the interaction pattern. The study was of retrospective qualitative paradigm utilizing discourse analysis to understand the student's cognitive engagement in the online discussion forum, 24 students provided written consent to participate. The data were collected by online posts and focus group discussion. The analysis was done by utilizing Zhu (2006) framework of cognitive engagement and it was revealed that there was a low level of engagement. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) reported that due to new mode of teaching, being very flexible, technology shutdown and less facilitation of faculty are the contributing factors. Thus, it was recommended that, more awareness is needed for students using online interaction, informing course expectations and feed forward for more effective participation.

Keywords

Low Cognitive Engagement, Online Discussion Forum.

How to Cite this Article?

Asif,N., Vertejee,S., and Lalani,S. (2016). Factors Influencing Interaction and Cognitive Engagement in Online Discussions in an Undergraduate Course of Nursing. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 13(3), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.13.3.8319

References

[1]. Asif, N., Vertejee, S., and Lalani, S., (2015). “Qualitative analysis of students interaction and cognitive engagement in online discussions in professional development course at a private nursing institution in Karachi, Pakistan”. Journal of Education and Training Studies, Vol. 3, No. 6.
[2]. Black, A., (2005). “The use of asynchronous discussion: Creating a text of talk”. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 5–24
[3]. Cheung, W.S., and Hew, K.F., (2008). “Examining facilitators' habits of mind and learners' participation”.  Proceeding of the 25th Int. Conf. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education 2008, ASCILITE 2008, (pp. 170-176). Retrieved on January 12, 2010 from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/cheung.pdf
[5]. Collis, B., (2003). Evaluation-Value to the Business. Internal Report, Shell EP Learning & Leadership Development, Noordwijkerhout, NL.
[6]. Ezeah, C., (2014). “Analysis of Factors Affecting Learner Participation in Asynchronous Online Discussion Forum in Higher Education Institutions”. Journal of Research &Method in Education, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 08-14.
[7]. Gilbert, L., & Moore, D.R. (1998). “Building interactivity into Web courses: Tools for social and instructional interaction”. Educational Technology, Vol. 38(3), pp. 29-35.
[8]. Jørgensen, M and Phillips, L. (2002). Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method. Sage Publications Ltd.
[9]. Karacapilidis, N., and Papadias, D., (2001). “Computer supported argumentation and collaborative decision making: The HERMES system”. Information Systems, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 259-277.
[10]. McLean, S., and Morrison, D., (2000). “Sociode mographic characteristics of learners and participation in computer conferencing”. Journal of Distance Education, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 17–36.
[11]. Moore M. G. & Kearsley G. (2005). Distance  Education: A Systems View. 2nd ed., Wadsworth: Belmont, CA..
[12]. Morgan, K.R., (2002). Blended Learning: A Strategic Action Plan for a New Campus. Seminole: University of Central Florida.
[13]. Oliver, R., Herrington, J., and Reeves, T., (2005). “Creating authentic learning environments through blended learning approaches”. In C. Bonk & C. Graham (Eds.). Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs. New York: Jossey Bass.
[14]. Picciano, A.G., (2002). “Beyond student perceptions: Issues of interaction, presence, and performance in an online course”. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 2140.
[15]. Prinsen, F., Volman, M.L.L., and Terwel, J., (2007). “The influence of learner characteristics on degree and type of participation in a CSCL environment”. British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 1037-1055.
[16]. Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations  of Distance Education. 4th ed., Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
[17]. Sit, J.W.H., Chung, J.W.Y., Chow, M.C.M & Wong, T.K.S. (2005). “Experiences of online learning: Students' perspective”. Nurse Education Today, Vol. 25, pp. 140–147.
[19]. Towle, A., Breda, K., (2014). “Teaching the Millennial Nursing Student: Using a ‘Flipping the Classroom’ Model”. Nursing and Health, Vol. 2,No. 6, pp.107-114.
[20]. Vrasidas, C., and McIsaac, M., (1999). “Factors influencing interaction in an online course”. The American Journal of Distance Education, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 22-36.
[21]. Vonderwell, S., and Zachariah, S., (2005). “Factors that influence participation in online learning”. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 213-230.
[22]. Webb, H.W., Gill, G., and Poe, G., (2005). “Teaching with the case method online: Pure versus hybrid approaches, Decision Sciences”. Journal of Innovative Education, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 223-250.
[23]. Xia, J., Fielder, J., and Siragusa, L., (2013). “Achieving better peer interaction in online discussion forums: A reflective practitioner case study”. Issues in Educational Research, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 97-113.
[24]. Yildiz, S., and Bichelmeyer, B.A., (2003). “Exploring the electronic forum participation and interaction by EFL speakers in two web based graduate level courses”. Distance Education, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 175-193.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Online 15 15

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.