e-chronicle

The foundation of the theory of social constructivism lies on three principles: the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), intersubjectivity, and enculturation. Accordingly, learning process is the active construction of knowledge based on prior knowledge and experience, social construction of knowledge through interaction, intersubjective construction of knowledge through effective communication, and multiple interpretations of knowledge. In order to have an effective learning environment, be it web-based or otherwise, the role of peers is critical. There needs to be opportunity for collaboration in the learning process, opportunity to publicly share their work so learners can revise and reflect based on peer feedback and what they have learned from one another, appreciation of multiple perspectives, the use of relevant and authentic tasks and involving problem solving in real world situations, and enculturation into the community of practice in the academic discipline or profession.

A sense of community can co-exist on multiple levels. Learners should be able to choose the degree of community that is most comfortable and useful for them, and best suits their capability. Although web-based technologies can support and enhance social learning and interaction, it is the design and instructor’s intervention that causes socialisation to occur via feedback mechanism throughout the e-learning experience. Every technological tool has its advantages and disadvantages, scope and limitations. An effective learning environment is one that meets the learners’ demands, and these can be met with the aid of the technological tools when used complementarily, so that learners feel connected to the community at a comfortable level. Learners who prefer interaction on a one-on-one level (e.g. learner-learner and learner-instructor) may choose to use e-mail and chat/IM for instance; those who prefer small group interaction may do so via discussion forums (involving only a few learners), chat, audio/video conferencing, and wikis for collaborative work; and those who are comfortable with interaction on a macro level can use those media that involve the whole community. There should be something for everyone. Ultimately, the tools are merely technological aids; the instructor has to create a conducive environment, within realistic parameters and boundary set up by the instructor or agreed upon between the learners and instructor (e.g. learning objectives, availability and accessibility of Internet communication tools, feedback mechanism and response time, collaboration opportunities and tasks, sharing and publication of learners’ work within and beyond the community, assessments, etc.) throughout the learning experience so learners feel connected to the community, develop trust, and commit to a shared beliefs and objectives.

A blog is a web page serving as personal journal for an individual, and can include multimedia. Wikis are a collection of editable web pages that can be edited by anyone, at any time, from anywhere. Each tool puts the learner at the centre of the learning process; supports the writing process, reflection in learning, and student empowerment; promotes a sense of community, and the idea that learners are experts in their learning process; increases social and peer interaction and collaboration; provides additional cognitive scaffolding with received feedback or revisiting their own writing; and develops critical thinking skills. Emphasis is on the writing experience and not the technology, and learning to use the tools is easily achievable. Blogs are less editable than wikis, and there is the possibility of inappropriate feedback to blog entries. Wiki entries can be easily edited or deleted accidentally, but this can be overcome with usage guidelines, and tracking and authentication mechanisms. 

Dawley, L 2007, ‘Blogs and wikis’, in The tools for successful online teaching, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, pp. 205–226. 

Chat and instant messaging (IM) provide a learning community with informal synchronous communication tools, thereby creating a sense of community and overcoming isolation via real-time, a sense of freedom and democracy (online disinhibition effect) due to lack of visual cues, enabling spontaneous and in-depth interaction with the whole community, small groups or one-on-one. In addition, recorded chats and transcripts can be made available for later use, and IM allows immediate access to instructor or other learners when needed. Chat norms and culture may have to be taught for effective use of the tool. Arranging a chat session can be a challenge if learners are in different time zones. Technical requirements for chat and IM might also be challenging to some learners. Frustration can arise when learners are bumped from chat, and have to log back in and catch up. Positive experience in chat and IM, in a structured format and with instructor support, can stimulate learners cognitively, socially and emotionally, thus create a deeper connection with community.

Dawley, L 2007, ‘Chat and instant messaging’, in The tools for successful online teaching, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, pp. 121–143. 

Discussion forums provide the ability for asynchronous social interaction, formal and/or informal, to occur over a designated period of time. Students have the time for in-depth reflection and edit their work before posting, and because of potential peer feedback and influence, better quality work is produced. Equalising student participation in discussion forums helps to build a sense of community, create connection, engage and empower students in peer learning. The historical record created enables students and instructors to monitor student’s development over time. Effective discussions should fall into one of three categories: social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence. The lack of immediate feedback and privacy in the forums can be overcome with time and familiarity with the asynchronous nature, and a sensitive instructor. Posting wars and flaming can be avoided with close monitoring, and the establishment of norms, netiquette and code of conduct. Lack of motivation to post may be overcome with appropriate questioning techniques, concrete incentives or games.

Dawley, L 2007, ‘Discussion forums’, in The tools for successful online teaching, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, pp. 70–97. 

E-mail is the most commonly used tool for asynchronous one-on-one communication between the online instructor and student. It is easily accessible at low or no cost; provides the student a sense of connectedness and privacy, ability for convenient and quick transfer of information, and quick response time to their queries; and studies have demonstrated improved student involvement and motivation through e-mail use, as well as improved student writing. However, e-mail communication can involve an extensive amount of time for the instructor, and untimely responses can be detrimental to student connectedness. To use e-mail effectively, the author suggested a number of basic principles to follow, e.g. establish boundaries for how often and when e-mails will be responded, sensitivity to e-mail netiquette, and asynchronous communication norms; use e-mail to provide individual feedback, and use a phone call if an in-depth response is needed; before giving a negative comment constructively, share something positive first; and keep the e-mail positive and personalised.

Dawley, L 2007, ‘E-mail’, in The tools for successful online teaching, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, pp. 50–69. 

Interaction is essential in any learning environment; it promotes active learning, enables effective facilitation, allows learner input, enables the development of higher order knowledge and abilities, and enhances quality and standards of the learning experiences. Not all interactions are meaningful, and contribute to effective learning; meaningful interaction must stimulate the learners’ intellectual curiosity, engage them in productive instructional activities, and directly influence their learning. In social constructivism, learning occurs through the process of intersubjectivity in the enculturised Zone of Proximal Development, i.e. learning occurs through communication with peers and experts (i.e. other highly-skilled learners, instructors, and experts in the field outside the learning community) in context related to real life tasks. When learners collaborate in the learning process using authentic tasks, not only do they learn the concepts under discussion, but also how these concepts are used in the workplace and in life. Opportunities for and quality of interaction in support of learning can be improved by technology. Internet communication tools allow learners to exchange information, contribute to discussions, and provide opportunities for learners to acquire and examine alternative perspectives.Woo, Y and Reeves, TC 2007, ‘Meaningful interaction in web-based learning: a social constructivist interpretation’, The Internet and Higher Education, vol. 10, pp. 15–25.