Factors that Influence Participation in Online Learning

In this article entitled: “Factors that Influence Participation in Online Learning” researchers explored what factors influenced learner participation in two sections of a graduate online course at a Midwestern university. Findings indicated that online learner participation and patterns of participation are influenced by the following factors: technology and interface characteristics, content area experience, student roles and instructional tasks, and information overload. Effective online learning requires interdependence for a shared understanding of learning goals in a learning community. Monitoring student participation and patterns of participation closely can help instructors identify student needs and scaffold learning accordingly. The authors note that further research about group processes, how groups develop and roles emerge—such as leadership in an online group—and influence effective participation, may help instructors to understand group dynamics in online courses and to structure their courses accordingly.

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/32/2e/94.pdf