Analyzing Temporal Patterns of Groups and Individuals in an Online Learning Forum

Time plays a fundamental role that benefits and challenges online discussions. It requires considering the temporal aspect for both analyzing how learning takes places through online discussion and for designing effective structures to support discussion activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal patterns of group and individual participation in a discussion forum. Data were collected from the logs and postings of college students. This study first investigated the temporal patterns of group participation in the discussion forum and then analyzed how promptness and initiative of individuals in online discussion related to their grades at the end of the semester. Results revealed that students posted mainly in the first 23 days and at the deadline. Students preferred discussing something related to the course content with others as soon as possible after they learned. They were willing to post in the morning and evening. There was strong relationship between students' promptness and initiative in the online discussions and their grades. Reasons for these results are discussed.