Students’ Perception and Patterns of Listening Behavior in an Online Forum Discussion

Online forum is part of a Learning Management
System (LMS) environment in which students share their opinions.
This study attempts to investigate the perceptions of students towards
online forum and their patterns of listening behavior during the forum
interaction. The students’ perceptions were measured using a
questionnaire, in which seven dimensions were used involving online
experience, benefits of forum participation, cost of participation,
perceived ease of use, usefulness, attitude, and intention. Meanwhile,
their patterns of listening behaviors were obtained using the log file
extracted from the LMS. A total of 25 postgraduate students
undertaking a course were involved in this study, and their activities
in the forum session were recorded by the LMS and used as a log file.
The results from the questionnaire analysis indicated that the students
perceived that the forum is easy to use, useful, and bring benefits to
them. Also, they showed positive attitude towards online forum, and
they have the intention to use it in future. Based on the log data, the
participants were also divided into six clusters of listening behavior,
in which they are different in terms of temporality, breadth, depth and
speaking level. The findings were compared to previous clusters
grouping and future recommendations are also discussed.

• K. L. Wong
• I. N. Umar

• e-learning
• learning management system
• listening behavior
• online forum.

[1] M. Sharples, “The design of personal mobile technologies for lifelong
learning”. Computers & Education, vol. 34, pp. 177-193. 2000.
[2] J. Farmer, “Communication dynamics: Discussion boards, weblogs and
the development of communities of inquiry in online learning
environments”. In Beyond the comfort zone: Proceedings ASCILITE
Perth 2004.
[3] M. Guzdial, and J. Turns, “Effective discussion through a computermediated
anchored forum”. Journal of the Learning Sciences, vol. 9, pp.
437–469, 2000.
[4] G. Salmon, “Flying not flapping: A strategic framework for e-learning
and pedagogical innovation in higher education institutions”. ALT-J,
Researching Learning Technology, vol. 13, pp. 201–218, 2005.
[5] R.S. Weisskirch, and S.S. Milburn, “Virtual discussion: Understanding
college students’ electronic bulletin board use”. The Internet and Higher
Education, vol. 6, pp. 215-225, 2003.
[6] L.M. Harasim, “On-line education: A new domain”. In Mindweave:
Communication, computers, and distance education, R. Mason, and A.
Kaye, Eds. Elmsford, New York: Pergamon. 1989.
[7] A. Kaye, Computer-mediated communication and distance education. In
Mindweave: Communication, computers, and distance education, R.
Mason, and A. Kaye, Eds. Elmsford, New York: Pergamon. 1989.
[8] M. Alvarez-Torres, “On chatting in the foreign classroom”. Clearing
House Item, vol. 74, pp. 313–316. 2001
[9] M.J.W. Thomas, “Learning within incoherent structures: The space of
online discussion forums”. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, vol.
18, pp. 351–366. 2002.
[10] J.T. Boyle, and D.J. Nicol, “Using classroom communication systems to
support interaction and discussion in large class settings”. Association
for Learning Technology Journal, 11(3), 43–57. 2003
[11] K. Struyven, F. Dochy, S. Janssens, and S. Gielen, “On the dynamics of
students' approaches to learning: The effects of the teaching/learning
environment”. Learning and Instruction, vol. 16, no.4, pp. 279-294.
2006.
[12] J.P Dorman, and B.J. Fraser, “Psychosocial environment and affective
outcomes in technology-rich classrooms: Testing a causal model”.
Social Psychology of Education, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 77-99. 2009.
[13] A.F. Wise, F. Marbouti, J. Speer, and Y.T. Hsiao, “Towards an
understanding of ‘listening’ in online discussions: A cluster analysis of
learners’ interaction patterns”. In Connecting computer supported
collaborative learning to policy and practice conference proceedings, H.
Spada, G. Stahl, N. Miyake and N. Law. Eds.,vol. 1, pp. 88–95, 2011.
[14] D. Suthers, “Technology affordances for intersubjective meaning
making: A research agenda for CSCL”. International Journal of
Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 315-337,
2006.
[15] W.S. Cheung, and K.F. Hew, “Examining facilitators’ habits of mind
and learners’ participation”. In Proceeding of the 25th Int. Conf.
Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education
2008, pp. 170-176.
[16] S. Vonderwell, and S. Zachariah, “Factors that influence participation in
online learning”, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, vol.
38, no. 2, pp. 213-230. 2005.
[17] V. Venkatesh, and D. Morris, “User Acceptance of Information
Technology: Toward a Unified View”, MIS Quarterly, vol. 27, pp. 425-
478. 2003
[18] S. McLean, and D. Morrison, “Sociodemographic characteristics of
learners and participation in computer conferencing”, Journal of
Distance Education, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 17–36. 2000.
[19] M.S. Cole, H.S. Field, and S.G. Harris, “Student learning motivation and
psychological hardiness: Interactive effects on students’ reactions to a
management class”. Academy of Management Learning & Education,
vol. 3, no. 1, pp.64-85, 2004.
[20] S. Ryan, “Is online learning right for you?” American Agent & Broker,
vol. 73, no. 6, pp. 54-58. 2001.
[21] B. De Wever, T. Schellens, M. Valcke, and H. Van Keer, “Content
analysis schemes to analyze transcripts of online asynchronous
discussion groups: A review. Computers & Education, vol. 46, no. 1, pp.
6-28. 2006.
[22] M. Arvaja, “Contextual perspective in analyzing collaborative
knowledge construction of two small groups in web-based discussion”.
International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning,
vol. 2, no. 2-3, pp. 133-158, 2007.
[23] K.F. Hew, W.S. Cheung and C.S.L. Ng, “Student contribution in
asynchronous online discussion: A review of the research and empirical
exploration”. Instructional Science, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 571–606. 2008.
[24] S. Herring, “Interactional coherence in CMC”. Journal of Computer-
Mediated Communication, vol. 4, no. 4, 1999.
[25] E. Webb, A. Jones, P. Barker, and P. van Schaik, “Using e-learning
dialogues in higher education’. Innovations in Education and Teaching
International, vol. 41, no. 1, 93–103. 2004.
[26] K. Hamann, P.H. Pollock, and B.M. Wilson, “Learning from
‘‘listening’’ to peers in online political science classes”. Journal of
Political Science Education, vol. 5, no.1, pp.1–11. 2009.
[27] S. Palmer, D. Holt, and S. Bray, “Does the discussion help? The impact
of a formally assessed online discussion on final student results”. British
Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 39, no. 5, 847–858. 2008.
[28] A.F. Wise, J. Speer, F. Marbouti, and Y. Hsiao, “Broadening the notion
of participation in online discussions: Examining patterns in learners'
online listening behaviors”. Instructional Science, vol. 41, no.2, pp. 323-
343, 2012.
[29] R. del Valle, and T.M. Duffy, “Online learning: Learner characteristics
and their approaches to managing learning”. Instructional Science, vol.
37, no. 2, 129–149. 2007.