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MEANINGFUL ONLINE LEARNING: EXPLORING INTERACTION IN A WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING AUTHENTIC TASKS by YOUNGHEE WOO (Under the Direction of Thomas C. Reeves) ABSTRACT This study explored a Web-based learning case which was designed using authentic tasks and based on social constructivism to provide a deeper understanding of meaningful interaction through the lens of social constructivism. The case was a master’s level course offered online by a university in Australia and the participants in this study consisted of the students and instructor in the course. First, the study examined how the students interacted to accomplish the authentic task in the WBLE. The analysis of the transcripts of the online discussion forum, chat room, and interviews yielded a detailed picture of the interaction occurring in a WBLE structured around authentic tasks. Through the analysis, three major categories with multiple themes were identified: the nature of online interaction (i.e., means to an ends, authenticity, and scaffolding), the process of the interaction (i.e., getting into task, defining, accomplishing, and reflecting), and strategies for improving the quality of the interaction (i.e., designing incrementally more challenging tasks, and providing active facilitation). Second, the study explored what meaningful experiences the students had that supported their learning. Through the interview, which was conducted for better understanding students’ perspectives about the whole experience of being in a WBLE using authentic tasks, students were encouraged to reflect on their experiences in the course. The analysis of the interview transcripts yielded a category called the Learning Effect. Three themes emerged related to the main learning effects in the WBLE using authentic tasks: high motivation, opportunities for reflection, and meaningful experiences. The identification process described what meaningful interaction looks like in a WBLE and clearly showed using authentic tasks in a WBLE led to meaningful interaction that directly influenced students’ learning growth. INDEX WORDS: online learning, interaction, meaningful interaction, social constructivism, authentic task, web-based learning MEANINGFUL ONLINE LEARNING: EXPLORING INTERACTION IN A WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING AUTHENTIC TASKS by YOUNGHEE WOO BA, Ewha Womans University, 1996, Republic of Korea MA, Ewha Womans University, 1998, Republic of Korea A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ATHENS, GEORGIA 2006 © 2006 Younghee Woo All Rights Reserved MEANINGFUL ONLINE LEARNING: EXPLORING INTERACTION IN A WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING AUTHENTIC TASKS by YOUNGHEE WOO Major Professor: Thomas C. Reeves Committee: Michael J. Hannafin Janette R. Hill Mary Ann Fitzgerald Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2006 iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my parents who made all of this possible for their endless love and encouragement. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writing of a dissertation can be a lonely and isolating experience, but it is obviously not possible without the personal and practical support of numerous people. I extend special thanks to my admirable advisor Prof. Thomas C. Reeves, for his countless hours of reflecting, reading, encouraging, and most of all patience throughout the entire process. I am grateful for his time and effort. My other committee members, Dr. Michael J. Hannafin, Dr. Janette R. Hill, and Dr. Mary Ann Fitzgerald, all gave their time and effort to help me produce this dissertation. Their efforts and support are greatly appreciated. I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Jan Herrington and Dr. Shirley Agostinho, faculty at the University of Wollongong in Australia, for allowing me to conduct my research in their classes and for providing any assistance requested. Their help allowed me to give my research a truly global scale, broadening and deepening my understanding of the online learning community. My thanks must go also to Dr. Jung Sun Hahn, who is a professor of EWHA Womans University. She has consistently helped me keep perspective on what is important in life and given me encouragement and emotional support in whatever I have pursued since our first meeting in 1994. Above all, I would like to thank my parents and two brothers whose unconditional love and understanding have kept me going over the past four years. I owe special thanks to my husband, Jaesuk, who has expressed an unwavering belief in my ability to succeed. In closing, I thank God. For only through God's grace and blessings has this pursuit been possible. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................2 Chapter Overviews....................................................................................................4 References .................................................................................................................7 2 MEANINGFUL INTERACTION IN WEB-BASED LEARNING: A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVIST INTERPRETATION ................................................................10 Abstract ...................................................................................................................11 Introduction .............................................................................................................12 Defining Online Interaction.....................................................................................13 The Meaning of Meaningful....................................................................................14 Rethinking Interaction from a Social Constructivist Perspective ...........................19 Recognizing Meaningfulness in Online Interactions ..............................................26 Conclusion...............................................................................................................28 References ...............................................................................................................29 vii 3 INTERACTION IN ASYNCHRONOUS WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVRIONMENTS: STRATEGIES SUPPORTED WITH EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ...........................................................................................................42 Abstract ...................................................................................................................43 Introduction .............................................................................................................44 Asynchronous Web-based Learning Environments................................................44 Meaningful Interaction............................................................................................46 The Characteristics of Asynchronous Meaningful Interaction................................48 How to Promote Meaningful Interaction.................................................................50 Discussion ...............................................................................................................60 Conclusion...............................................................................................................61 References ...............................................................................................................62 4 MEANINGFUL ONLINE LEARNING: EXPLORING INTERACTION IN A WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING AUTHENTIC TASKS (CASE STUDY) ........................................................................................75 Abstract ...................................................................................................................76 Introduction .............................................................................................................77 Literature Review....................................................................................................78 Methodology ...........................................................................................................82 Findings...................................................................................................................93 Discussion .............................................................................................................117 Limitations and Future Research...........................................................................123 Conclusion.............................................................................................................125 viii References .............................................................................................................126 5 GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING AUTHENTIC TASKS TO INCREASE MEANINGFUL INTERACTION IN WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS ..............................................................................................140 Abstract .................................................................................................................141