READ ONLY PARTICIPANTS
The purpose of the study “Read-only participants: A case for student communication in online classes” was to find out the relationship between online learning and effective achievement of finishing the syllabus. The researchers of this study sought to show that it is essential for students to participate in an online community to succeed. The study was formulated by Nagel, Cronje and Blignaut. The research involves a case study that surveys on the successful completion of an online postgraduate course at The University of Pretoria. The increasing improvement in technology has made it possible for easier access to computers and the internet in most areas because technology is affordable and familiar to most people. Learning institutions are currently adapting to providing an online reading platform for students.
Research problem
The emergence of technology and availability of internet has made it possible for students to access learning through online platforms. However, students who participate in online classes at a lower frequency attain low grades and fail to complete their studies. Students who engage in online courses and actively participate usually perform well and manage to succeed in their curriculum.
Research questions
The research questions that this study sought to answer include; which techniques does the director of the course use to achieve communication? Does the lack of adequate participation from fellow learners affect the setting of learning? Who are some of the various learners available in the online learning setting? (Nagel, Blignaut & Cronje,2009).The study sought to find out the aspects present in an online curriculum that were responsible for making learners drop behind and the affecting reasons. The reason for finding out this was due to a noticeable withdrawal from an online curriculum.
Methods of research
The researchers used mixed techniques of data collection, both qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative research method allowed the researchers to trace the scholar’s activity view in the curriculum. The qualitative methods allowed the researchers to examine the context of students who did not participate. Additionally, the qualitative approach also sought to explore the response, observation and the opinion of the class.
The study carried out an analysis on the following records; discussion posts, blog posts, online tests and examination essays. Researchers used the tracking tool for students to find out a quantitative view of the activity of the learner in the course, such as the number of postings and replies.
Findings
The studies found out those students who participated in a more significant extent performed highly as compared to those who did not take part. Research also ascertained that learners who involved themselves in the classroom and even worked together with the tutor are the ones who were able to finish their course. The students who did not participate in class together with those who did not cooperate with their colleagues and teachers were more likely at a higher risk of failing to finish their lectures. The participation of students in the online classes was determined by the number of times they logged in their portals. The study found out that learners who rarely participated had low incidences of log-ins hence making them skip vital assistance that is necessary for success. These students either had scored lower grades or were unable to finish their course while those students who scored higher grades and completed their course had a higher frequency of the number of times they logged in their portal.
Implications
The results of the findings brought out an implication that lively involvement in class is a crucial determinant of successful finishing of online courses.According to Nagel, Cronje and Blignaut (2007), an active community can only come into existence through participation where the community gains from tutoring, a response from colleagues and the lecturer.
Conclusion
The rate at which students take part in class discussion, respond to the posts made by other people and the frequency in which they access the course has a weighty impact on the successful accomplishment of their course.