Online Learning in Discussion Groups: A Sense-Making Approach1

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Author(s): David J. Schaefer (Franciscan University of Steubenville, USA)and Brenda Dervin (Ohio State University, USA)
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 18
Source title: User-Driven Healthcare and Narrative Medicine: Utilizing Collaborative Social Networks and Technologies
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Rakesh Biswas (People’s College of Medical Sciences, India)and Carmel Mary Martin (Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Canada)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-097-6.ch020

Keywords: Health Information Systems / Medical Information Science Reference / Medicine & Healthcare

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Abstract

Recently, theorists concerned about the democratic quality of electronic group discussions have advocated the incorporation of situational information to facilitate consensus/dissensus activity. In this chapter, we demonstrate the utilization of a discussion group design and analytical process informed by Sense-Making Methodology to highlight the relationship between situational aspects of online dialogue and consensus/dissensus activity. We analyzed 1,360 messages submitted to three pedagogical discussion groups. The postings fell into two broad situational modes: (a) dialogic, which coincided with an outward orientation and a greater number of agreeing/disagreeing micro-practices, and (b) contemplative, which demonstrated more inwardly-focused personalized observations and far fewer agreeing/disagreeing micro-practices. These findings suggest that, counter to received theories advocating the privileging of user-to-user interaction within online discussion groups, both modes appeared to be important for robust communicative activities.

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Online Learning in Discussion Groups: A Sense-Making Approach1

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