Evaluation of a final-year module using online asynchronous discussion

Ward, Tony; Dodd, Lorna

Abstract

This report evaluates the use of online asynchronous discussions as a main delivery strategy in a third (final) year undergraduate counselling psychology module. These discussions were student-facilitated and the discussion assessment criteria emphasised analysis, critique, application and originality. Students were assessed through the production of a written critique of one of the discussions, again using similar criteria. Students' judgments of their progress and attitudes to the online components were assessed, and both of these measures were significantly positively related to module outcomes. Students were asked for their comments about the module, and the results were analysed using thematic analysis. Overall the results suggest that whilst such a novel delivery strategy has much to commend it, many students perceive it negatively. This seems to be due to the novelty of the strategy, and a belief that traditional lectures and assignments are preferable.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2012
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2016
• Journal: Psychology Learning and Teaching
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-7257
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 246-252
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2304/plat.2011.10.3.246
• Keywords: asynchronous discussion, e-learning, TEL
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/972229
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2304/plat.2011.10.3.246
• Contract Date: Nov 15, 2016