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Interaction and cognitive engagement: An analysis of four asynchronous online discussions
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  • Open Access
  • Published: November 2006

Interaction and cognitive engagement: An analysis of four asynchronous online discussions

  • Erping Zhu1 

Instructional Science volume 34, pages 451–480 (2006)Cite this article

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Abstract

Online discussion plays a unique role in face-to-face and distance teaching and learning. Interaction and student cognitive engagement during the online discussion are critical for constructing new understanding and knowledge. This article analyzes types of interaction that occur during online discussions, examines levels of student cognitive engagement in each discussion, and explores their effects on and implications for learning and teaching in higher education. By combining methods of social network analysis with qualitative content analysis, the article explores new methodologies for analyzing participation, interaction, and learning that take place online, and suggests areas for research in learning and teaching online.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan, 1071 Paslmer Commons Building, 100 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA

    Erping Zhu

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  1. Erping Zhu
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Correspondence to Erping Zhu.

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Open Access This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0 ), which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.

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Cite this article

Zhu, E. Interaction and cognitive engagement: An analysis of four asynchronous online discussions. Instr Sci 34, 451–480 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-006-0004-0

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  • Received: 06 July 2005

  • Accepted: 11 March 2006

  • Issue Date: November 2006

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-006-0004-0

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Keywords

  • asynchronous discussion
  • cognitive engagement
  • computer-mediated communication
  • discussion forum
  • electronic conferencing
  • interaction
  • teaching and learning online
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