A Comparison of Learning Outcomes by ‘In-Course’ Evaluation Techniques for an On-Line Course in a Controlled Environment

This study starts with the premise that in an online environment, meaningful discourse drives student learning. Specifically, the contribution of instructor knowledge on structuring and facilitating online discourse and “meaningful” online discourse. Findings from 57 university instructors indicate that instructors need a clearer working definition of “meaningful” online discourse and instructors need to be trained that “meaningful” online discourse does not only occur between themselves and their students’ but can occur between student and student and with course content (i.e. online experts, online guests, etc.).