Networked Learning for an Online Coastal Zone Management Module

Abstract

Networked learning for the online coastal zone management (CZM) module during the period 2004–2007 was interactive, flexible, promoting active engagement and social interaction and providing new opportunities for group working for students. Eighty percent of the CZM students actively participated in the asynchronous forums and regular contributions to online discussions were integral to the determination that a student was keeping pace with the learner-centered activities and achieving the outcomes of the module. About 25% of the messages were made by the course instructor when the asynchronous CZM discussion forums were operational during the 3-year period. The remaining 75% posts were from the students on the two asynchronous forums used for CZM. The asynchronous online forums used provided a good collaborative environment for multiple interactions. Most of the students following the CZM module had not come across the online mode of learning and were experiencing this change in the teaching and learning process for the first time. Over 75% postings in CZM forums were new questions with less than 20% postings of higher type questions for the CZM module during the 3-year period. As part of the quality assurance for the online course, students were requested to complete an evaluation questionnaire of the online course. Most students found that the online CZM forums were a good learning experience and that they benefited from it.