Looking for evidence of deep learning in constructively aligned online discussions.

Brown, Norrie; Smyth, Keith; Mainka, Christina

Abstract

Building upon previous work by the authors, this paper describes a small-scale study that involved analysing the depth of thinking evident within asynchronous discussion contributions. The discussion tasks in question, which were undertaken within the context of a fully online distance course, were designed according to the principles of constructive alignment, and analysed using the SOLO taxonomy. Of particular interest within this study was whether the SOLO taxonomy would provide evidence of surface-to-deep or deep-to-deeper learning having occurred on an individual basis over time, and also how suitable the SOLO taxonomy was as a tool for the content analysis of online discussions. Findings on both counts were encouraging, but not unproblematic

Citation

Brown, N., Smyth, K., & Mainka, C. (2006). Looking for evidence of deep learning in constructively aligned online discussions. In S. Banks, V. Hodgson, C. Jones, B. Kemp, D. McConnell, & C. Smith (Eds.), Proceedings of the fifth International Conference on Networked Learning 2006

• Conference Name: Networked Learning International Conference
• Start Date: Apr 10, 2006
• End Date: Apr 12, 2006
• Publication Date: 2006-04
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2013
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Proceedings of the fifth International Conference on Networked Learning 2006
• ISBN: 1-86220-182-X
• Keywords: Constructive alignment; online discussion; deep learning; content analysis
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5895