Design and Effects of a Concept Focused Discussion Environment in E-Learning

Problem Statement: Within the frame of learning management systems, thisstudy develops a concept focused discussion environment and validatesthe effectiveness of this environment’s use through an experimental study.Purpose of the Study: Online discussion forums, which are commonly usedin learning management systems (LMS), can negatively influence theintegration and motivation of learning in terms of learner-content andlearner-learner interactions, as online discussions take place in a physicalsituation apart from the content environment. The development of theconcept focused discussion environment (CFDE) and its integration intointo LMS as well as another environment, LMS TDE (traditionaldiscussion environment), which possess a hierarchical threaded discussionstructure, are assessed in terms of learning perceptions, usefulnessperceptions, qualities of the messages sent to discussion environments,and student learning styles.Method: The experimental design of the research is structured in the“application and final test” form (Karasar, 2007). Experiment groupstudents (44) joined online learning environments in which the conceptfocused discussion environment (CFDE) was embedded, and on the otherhand, control group students (46) joined online learning environmentsthat possessed a traditional discussion environment (TDE). After theexperimental work, scales measuring learning perception in discussionenvironments, usefulness perception in discussion environments, andcontribution quality analysis (degree assessment type) were applied.Findings: At the end of the research, the study found that CFDE that drawson students’ perceptions of learning and usability is more effective than TDE that uses students’ perceptions. In addition, the messages sent in the discussion environments were analyzed in terms of contribution quality. The relation between students’ learning styles and their perception of learning was investigated. Messages sent in CFDE were compared to messages sent in TDE in terms of knowledge validity, cognitive attempt effort, showing understanding of the subject, showing sample reference, being understandable, involving cooperation, and orientation skills; the comparison revealed significant differences. Finally, the research also examined learning styles and learning perception relationships. Developed CFDE demonstrates no differences between students with tendencies toward ordered or integrated learning; in contrast, TDE creates negative effects and inequality for students that have sequential learning style (according to cognitive and affective learning perceptions) in particular. The case can be made that CFDE removes this inequality.Conclusion and Recommendations: This study, in contrast with current LMSs, designed a new product to integrate content and discussion boards. Integrating content and discussion boards with each other as we did in this study will increase students’ learning perception and decrease the individual differences between students.Keywords: Discussion forum, online learning environment, learning styles, learning management system.

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