This dissertation investigates the role of multimedia applications in enhancing student engagement in higher education, with a particular focus on the dynamics of asynchronous discussion forums and lurking behaviors. Leveraging multimedia applications facilitates dynamic, inquiry-based discussions that promote deeper cognitive engagement and…

Virtual teamwork in higher education is increasingly common. Asynchronous course delivery may provide additional challenges, particularly when collaborating on projects. In this study, we examine the influences of personality and teamwork attributes using regression and correlation analysis to determine which factors contribute the most to real…

Many universities implemented blended and hybrid delivery for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, the use of terms that relate to various manifestations and implementations of blended learning has increased significantly by all higher education stakeholders. However, the meaning ascribed to these terms is often inconsistent…

Facilitating discussions is an integral part of virtual, synchronous and asynchronous adult and higher education settings. This article offers effective strategies for supporting learners and guiding discussion, particularly about social and critical content.

The three research papers completed and compiled to make up this dissertation explore the relationship between social presence and social construction of knowledge in asynchronous online discussion forums in higher education courses in the instructional technology field. Paper 1 is a literature review of the interaction analysis model (IAM)…

In this study, two modes of communication for distance learning are discussed -Broadcast Media Technologies (one-to-many) and Communicative Media Technologies (many-to-many). In addition, the study sheds light on Synchronous Versus Asynchronous modes of communication. Further, the study evaluates the effectiveness of Digi skills' (an initiative by…

In this article, I blend a review of existing research, results from an original qualitative study, and a decade of personal experience in order to examine the facilitation of significant learning experiences in asynchronous online courses. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that students who enroll in online courses do so for reasons of…

This scoping review summarizes studies on passive participation in collaborative online learning activities that used computer-mediated communication tools in school settings. A total of 42 articles spanning about 20 years were explored. ERIC and three main journal indexes from Web of Science were used to locate articles. For each year searched,…

Anxiety surrounding the taking of online statistics courses in higher education is a common issue. Many studies have been conducted on the cause of math anxiety as well as anxiety in computer-based learning. The purpose of this study was to examine whether using gamification and Mayer's Multimedia principles in an asynchronous, online statistics…

Research suggests there is no significant difference in outcomes for online learners and on-campus learners. Several decades of online learning have also consistently demonstrated online students are less likely to persist than those students attending on campus. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework describes social presence, teaching…

Restrictions on in-person teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic severely challenged higher education practices worldwide. While didactic delivery of course content is easily achievable with virtual teaching technologies, promoting critical engagement with this material can be more difficult, particularly with classes of larger size and lower…

This book supports teaching and learning through online discussion in higher education contexts such as universities, colleges, and polytechnics. It presents an explicit focus on popular asynchronous discussion tools and methods, with attention to disciplinary variety and key principles for successful learning-oriented discussion. It tackles the…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities and colleges in Canada have transitioned to remote instruction through various online platforms and software. Academic staff should be aware that these tools raise important privacy and intellectual property rights issues. The sections of this brief include: (1) surveillance; (2) collective…

One of the main challenges for educators during the pandemic has been successfully transitioning to online teaching, in some cases without adequate training. This article will address these issues and suggest effective practices for teaching Spanish online, especially in emergency remote teaching situations. Given these circumstances, instructors…

Asynchronous online learning provides students and instructors flexibility and convenience. However, a persistent concern regarding online learning is that it is inherently impersonal. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical framework, first introduced by Garrison et al. in 2000, incorporates social-constructivism principles to promote a sense…