Skip to main content

The Impact of Online Discussion Platform on Students’ Academic Performance

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 9167))

Abstract

This paper reports on research investigating student experiences of learning through face to face and online discussions in business and marketing courses in a local self-finance institution. Using methodologies from relational research into university student learning, the study investigates associations between key aspects of student learning focusing on conceptions of what students learn, approaches to learning and learning outcomes. The students’ views on using online discussion platform and the difference in learning performance between students who did use online discussion platform and who did not will be compared in this study. Furthermore, it was expected to find that these differences were reflected in the learning outcomes, that is, student approaches would be linked to more complete conceptions of learning and to better academic performance. In other words, the existence of causal relationships between the using of online discussion platform and academic performance was also explored. Data on students’ conceptions and approaches was collected through group interviews and final marks were used as an indicator of the quality of learning in terms of students’ academic performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Anastasi, A.: Psychological Testing. Macmillan, London (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Becker, D.A., Dwyer, M.N.: Using hypermedia to provide learner control. J. Educ. Multimedia Hypermedia 3(2), 155–172 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Biggs, J.: Individual differences in study processes and the quality of learning outcomes. High. Educ. 8, 381–394 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Biggs, J.: What do inventories of students’ learning processes really measure? a theoretical review and clarification. Br. J. Educ. Psychol. 63(Pt. 1), 3–19 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Biggs, J.: Approaches to learning: nature and measurement of. In: Husen, T., Postlethwaite, T.N. (eds.) The International Encyclopedia of Education, vol. 1, 2nd edn, pp. 318–322. Pergmon, Oxford (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bull, J., McKenna, C.: Blueprint for Computer-Assisted Assessment. Routledge-Falmer, London (2004)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  7. Cano, F.: Epistemological beliefs and approaches to learning: their change through secondary school and their influence on academic performance. Br. J. Educ. Psychol. 75, 203–221 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ellis, R.A., Calvo, R.A.: Learning through discussions in blended environments. Educ. Media Int. 40, 263–274 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Floridi, L.: Internet: Which future for organized knowledge, Frankenstein or Pygmalion? Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 43(2), 261–274 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Greenwald, R., Hedges, L.V., Laine, R.D.: The effect of school resources on students achievements. Rev. Educ. Res. 66(3), 361–396 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Guzdial, M., Turns, J.: Effective discussion through a computer-mediated anchored forum. J. Learn. Sci. 9(4), 437–469 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hew, K.F., Cheung, W.S.: Higher level knowledge construction in asynchronous online discussions: an analysis of group size, duration of online discussion, and student facilitation techniques. Instr. Sci. 39, 303–319 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hew, K.F., Cheung, W.S., Ng, C.S.L.: Student contribution in asynchronous online discussion: a review of the research and empirical exploration. Instr. Sci. 38(6), 571–606 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Huynh, M.Q.: Viewing e-learning productivity from the perspective of Habermas’ cognitive interests theory. J. Electron. Commer. Organ. 3(2), 33–45 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Johnson, S.: Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture is Actually Making us Smarter. Allen Lane, London (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jones, S., Johnson-Yale, C., Millermaier, S., Perez, F.S.: Academic work, the internet and U.S. college students. Internet High. Educ. 11, 165–177 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Jung, I., Choi, S., Lim, C., Leem, J.: Effects of different types of interaction on learning achievement, satisfaction and participation in web-based instruction. Innovations Educ. Teach. Int. 39(2), 153–162 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ketelhut, D.J., Schifter, C.C.: Teachers and game-based learning: improving understanding of how to increase efficacy of adoption. Comput. Educ. 56, 539–546 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Lee, S.W.Y., Tsai, C.C.: Students’ perceptions of collaboration, self-regulated learning, and information seeking in the context of internet-based learning and traditional learning. Comput. Hum. Behav. 27, 905–914 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Love, N., Fry, N.: Accounting students’ perceptions of virtual learning environment: Springboard or safety net? Account. Educ. Int. J. 15(2), 151–166 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Mayes, T.: The technology of learning in a social world. In: Harrison, R., et al. (eds.) Supporting Life Long Learning: Volume 1 Perspectives on Learning, pp. 163–175. Routledge Falmer, London (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mazzolini, M., Maddison, S.: When to jump in: the role of the instructor in online discussion forums. Comput. Educ. 49, 193–213 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. McFarlane, A., Sparrowhawk, A., Heald, Y.: Report on the educational use of computer games. Teachers evaluating education multimedia report. http://www.teem.org.uk/resources/teem_gamesined_full.pdf. Accessed 13 March 2015

  24. National Science Council: 2005-2006 e-Learning in Taiwan. National Science & Technology Program Office for e-learning, Chungli (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rahman, S., Yasin, R.M., Yassin, S.F.M., Nordin, N.M.: Examining psychological aspects in online discussion. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 15, 3168–3172 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Shin, N., Sutherland, L.M., Norris, C.A., Soloway, E.: Effects of game technology on elementary student learning in mathematics. Br. J. Educ. Behav. 27(6), 2067–2077 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  27. So, H.J.: When groups decide to use asynchronous online discussions: collaborative learning and social presence under a voluntary participation structure. J. Comput. Assist. Learn. 25, 143–160 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Stacey, E., Gerbic, P.: Teaching for blended learning: research perspectives from on-campus and distance students. Educ. Inf. Technol. 12, 165–174 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Yi, M.Y., Hwang, Y.: Predicting the use of web-based information systems: self-efficacy, enjoyment, learning goal orientation, and the technology acceptance model. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 59(4), 431–449 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhan, Z., Xu, F., Ye, H.: Effects on an online learning community on active and reflective learners’ learning performance and attitudes in a face-to-face undergraduate course. Comput. Educ. 56(4), 961–968 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kwan Keung Ng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Ng, K.K., Luk, C.H., Wang, F.L., Luk, L. (2015). The Impact of Online Discussion Platform on Students’ Academic Performance. In: Cheung, S., Kwok, Lf., Yang, H., Fong, J., Kwan, R. (eds) Hybrid Learning: Innovation in Educational Practices. ICHL 2015. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 9167. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20621-9_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20621-9_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20620-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20621-9

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics