Enhancing Learning Interaction through Inter-Forum Group Discussion in Online Learning: A Case Study on Online Teaching of Research in English Language Teaching Course

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a model of Inter-Group Discussion Forum (IGDF) application as media to increase students' interaction and participation in the discussion forum during the online learning. Data were collected through the process of the implementation of discussion forum using IGDF application during the online learning of Research in English Language Teaching (ELT) courses during the teaching period of 2014.2. Data of the students participation were collected through online observation, and data about the students' perception of the IGDF model were collected by providing an online close and open ended questionnaires and analyzed by calculating the percentage. The results of this study indicated that the application of IGDF is applicable in online learning. The amount of participation and the quality of the interaction from the discussion through IGDF has not shown significant improvement. The main obstacle came from the technical problems associated with passwords and the ability to follow the discussion in a discussion forum between groups. However, the variety types of posting has increased. Each group is able to post presentations, questions, responses, and commands. Students' perceptions toward the IGDF proved significant where there was 88.46% of them stated that the discussion forum with IGDF is very good discussion among the group and it can increase interaction among students in the online learning.

An Empirical Analysis on the Changes of Students’ Learning Behaviors Based on Online Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion Mode

“…During this study period, many interactions have been realized. Antoro and Sudilah use group discussion to divide the whole class into several groups and set up a forum to encourage students to discuss within and between groups, thus improving the quality and quantity of interaction [11]. In this study, the online discussion groups are similar to the forum Sudilah established, which shows the effectiveness of OPAD interaction.…”

“…This may make up the lost of offline interaction in which the teacher is easy to capture students' learning signals. Other scholars study that group discussion can enhance the interaction between students and enhance students' understanding of learning materials [4,11]. With the development of network technology, online interaction on multiple network platforms has expanded the scope of understanding of the concept of interaction.…”

Automatic essay scoring for discussion forum in online learning based on semantic and keyword similarities

“…Numerous universities have noted the benefits of online learning worldwide. Online learning is designed to support the learning process in a distance learning system, generally presented using a Learning Management System (LMS) platform that allows lecturers and students to interact in an asynchronous method (Antoro and Sudilah, 2016). All kinds of LMS support lectures, activities, practices and project work.…”