The proliferation of online graduate programs, and more recently, higher education institutions' moves to online interactions due to the COVID-19 crisis, have led to graduate student mentoring increasingly occurring online. Challenges, strategies, and outcomes associated with online mentoring of graduate students are of primary importance for the…

This systematic review examines Asynchronous Online Discussions (AODs) in higher education, with a specific focus on AOD increasing learning outcomes and AOD alternatives. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to search academic databases and Google Scholar to find 35 peer-reviewed articles. An overview of the research context is provided…

Use of learning management systems is prevalent across the continuum of education formats (online, blended, face-to-face). Specific asynchronous tools such as the discussion board are effective for student-instructor and student-student communication [Calderon, Ginsberg, and Ciabocchi (2012); Jorczak, R. L., & Dupuis, D. N. (2014). Differences…

Social media is widely considered to improve collaborative learning among students and researchers. However, there is a surprising lack of empirical research in Malaysian higher education to improve performance of students and researchers through the effective use of social media that facilitates desirable outcomes. Thus, this study offers a…

This study addressed the argument that online courses rarely use discussion strategies that are specifically designed and constructed for soliciting learners' cognitive presence and higher-order thinking. Prompted by this argument, the authors conducted a meta-analysis of the empirical studies that examined the effectiveness of discussion…

A growing number of adult learners invest time, energy, and financial resources in completing online doctoral degrees. Several factors, other than the program itself, influence a person's decision to pursue a degree online. Many choose online learning because they are faced with challenges often typical for adult learners that prohibit them from…

This article previews the emergence of "homo virtualis." Drawing on data from seven research studies, peer-reviewed published research articles, and selected excerpts of 30 months of field notes taken in Second Life [SL], the article examines virtual learning environments and embodiment through the lens of interactions of avatars with…

Research illustrates that African American students are not successful in a Eurocentric model of education. Thus, an Afrocentric model has been created; however, there remains a lack of usage of this pedagogy in schools and educational institutions. This study analyzes the levels of Intercultural Sensitivity of individuals in a graduate student…

Power relations between professors and graduate students are fluid, in many ways under continuous negotiation. This is especially true in electronically mediated interchanges. Although a professor's power and authority far from disappear in a MOO (multi-user object-oriented domain) session, the power and influence of the students rise to challenge…