This study presents three case studies of students' participation patterns in an online discussion to address the gap in our current understanding of how "individuals" experience asynchronous learning environments. Cases were constructed via microanalysis of log-file data, post contents, and the evolving discussion structure. The first student was…

Examines the effect of group size on students' behavior in asynchronous, nonmandatory instructional discussion groups. Focuses on four main questions on whether group size: affects the proportion of learner-learner and instructor-learner interactions; influences number of messages instructors post; have an effect on number of contributions that…