Different types of human interaction in online discussion: An examination of using online discussion forum

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to explore the nature of the use of asynchronous computer‐mediated communication in an online academic learning environment. Additionally the study will provide an analysis of students' participations in discussion forums as well as a construct of the types of patterns of students' interactions in two online classes. A total of 47 students (in two different online classes) evaluated their perception of the discussion forum. Three out of 16 weeks' discussion forum were archived, and a total of 214 postings were examined to find out distinct types of interactions. Four types of interactions were extracted, based upon which, students were asked to rate which type of responses they were most likely to post and which types of interactions they were most likely to respond to. Correlations were examined between types of posts and types of interactions. It was found that there was significant correlation between types of interactions and types of interactions that were likely to be responded to.