Authors:
Godfrey Mayende
1
;
Andreas Prinz
2
and
Ghislain Maurice N. Isabwe
2
Affiliations:
1
University of Agder and Makerere University, Norway
;
2
University of Agder, Norway
Keyword(s):
Online Learning, Communication, Collaborative Learning, Online Learning Systems.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
Course Design and e-Learning Curriculae
;
Distance and e-Learning in a Global Context
;
e-Learning
;
Information Technologies Supporting Learning
;
Social Context and Learning Environments
Abstract:
In this paper, we study communication in online learning systems using both quantitative and qualitative
research methods. Quantitative methods provide the interaction statistics, while qualitative content analysis
was used for categorisation of the messages. It turns out that 20% of the active participants dominate the
online learning interactions, and more than 80% are passive consumers. From the categorization, we learned
that most of the communication is not related to learning, but to technical problems (26%), small talk
(29%), sharing experience (16%), and encouragement (11%). Only 10% are related to the content. For
improved communication, it is therefore important to use the right communication tools in the online
learning systems. Especially, learning by content creation should be provided.