Developing teaching practice for more effective use of asynchronous discussion

A preliminary investigation

Abstract

Teachers inexperienced in the delivery of online instruction may now be expected to teach subjects with a limited understanding of how tools in a Learning Management System can be appropriately and successfully utilised to enable the learning strategies of the subject design. How best do we develop teaching practice to facilitate the increasing use of asynchronous discussion tools in flexible and distance courses? This preliminary investigation analyses practitioner perceptions of the effectiveness of asynchronous discussion tools in tertiary education and explores some of the factors that may affect the participation of students in online discussion such as activity design and student characteristics.