Using Online Forums to Promote Collaborative Learning in Introductory Programming Courses

Abstract

The asynchronous online discussion can enrich learning experience in many ways, even in classroom or blended learning scenarios. It is quite challenging to design an effective online discussion. The presented study draws on the action research strategy. After observing and analyzing students’ learning problems in introductory programming courses, we came up with intervention of the online collaborative activity to guide students during their individual studying at home in a more regulative manner. The main goal was to involve students in active learning and strengthen the feel of being a friendly community member. Students were producing sample test questions/tasks for others, and then using products of their classmates for their own learning. The intervention was evaluated deeply using both, qualitative and quantitative methods. This reflection implied that the activity’s design was appropriate and the impact on students’  learning process was positive. We found the constructivist features of the activity essential as for its effectiveness. The learning scenario described in this paper provides a verified framework for designing similar collaborative activities suitable mainly for problem-oriented areas of study, e. g. in science or engineering education.