A dynamic analysis of the interplay between asynchronous and synchronous communication in online learning: The impact of motivation.

With the increased affordances of synchronous communication tools, more opportunities for online learning to resemble face-to-face settings have recently become available. However, synchronous communication does not afford as much time for reflection as asynchronous communication. Therefore, a combi...

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Published in:Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 30 - 51
Main Authors: Giesbers, B., Rienties, B., Tempelaar, D., Gijselaers, W.
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Feb2014
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2014
      vid: 30
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1111/jcal.12020
        104133195
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        atl: A dynamic analysis of the interplay between asynchronous and synchronous communication in online learning: The impact of motivation.
      aug:
        au:
          Giesbers, B.
          Rienties, B.
          Tempelaar, D.
          Gijselaers, W.
        affil: Department of Educational Research and Development, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University
      sug:
        subj:
          Learning Methods
          Computer-Assisted Instruction
          Internet
          Communication Methods
          Motivation
          Education, Non-Traditional
          Videoconferencing
          Human
          Models, Theoretical
          Students, Undergraduate
          Netherlands
          Questionnaires
          Female
          Male
          Content Analysis
          Interrater Reliability
          Coefficient alpha
          Scales
          Chi Square Test
          Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient
          Mann-Whitney U Test
          Effect Size
          Multiple Regression
          Young Adult
          Female
          Male
      ab: With the increased affordances of synchronous communication tools, more opportunities for online learning to resemble face-to-face settings have recently become available. However, synchronous communication does not afford as much time for reflection as asynchronous communication. Therefore, a combination of synchronous and asynchronous communication in e-learning would seem desirable to optimally support learner engagement and the quality of student learning. It is still an open question though, how to best design online learning with a blend of synchronous and asynchronous communication opportunities over time. Few studies have investigated the relationship between learners' actual use of synchronous and asynchronous communication over time. Therefore, this study addressed that relationship in an online course ( N = 110), taking into account student motivation, and employing a dynamic inter-temporal perspective. In line with our assumptions, we found some support for the expected association between autonomous motivation and engagement in asynchronous and synchronous communication, be it restricted primarily to the first course period. Also, positive relations between engagement in synchronous and asynchronous communication were found, with the strongest influence from using asynchronous to synchronous communication. This study adds to the knowledge base needed to develop guidelines on how synchronous communication can be combined with asynchronous learning.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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