Online discussion behavior within collaborative learning via e-forum

Abstract

This paper investigates the students’ online discussion behaviors on e-forum and discusses the behaviors within the concept of collaborative learning. Using qualitative research design, seventeen undergraduate TESOL students' postings in e-forum were analyzed as they were going through two TESOL courses. These two courses were conveniently chosen because the same instructors taught these courses and who also implemented e-forum in both courses. Two research instruments were utilized, namely content analysis and questionnaire to retrieve data from the participants. Analysis of findings suggests that there was active display of discussion behaviours and that e-forum was indeed an effective tool that motivated the students’ collaborative learning at the university level. Finally, based on the findings of the study, some pedagogical implications have been recommended.