An International Students’ Perspective Toward Using Online Collaborative Platform to Enhance their Academic Learning Skills

Abstract

This exploratory case study explored international graduate students' views of online discussion boards (ODBs) as a collaborative platform in different online courses at a major Midwestern university. In addition, this study explored factors that influenced students learning skills, specifically academic writing skills. Data collection methods included students' artifacts, such as online discussion transcripts, submitted documents, and one-on-one open-ended interviews. Interviewing the international graduate students made it possible to identify the natural meaning of ODBs, as well as explore the key factors that improved their writing skills in the ODBs. Three major themes emerged in this study. The first theme inclusive learning environment, demonstrated how students perceived ODBs as a positive platform that helped them to increase their intercultural competence, construct their knowledge, and raise their confidence as well. The other two themes, constructivism/collaborative social practice and motivation/structure revealed what factors could improve students' writing skills. Students appreciated their learning from each other and asserted that the structure, feedback, and assessment are the factors that motivated them to develop their learning and writing skills. Further qualitative research is needed to analyze the content of the students' postings. In addition, it is recommended that the level of learning, writing skills, and sense of community among the forum members need to be examined. Broader perspectives are needed, as well as future research using ODBs as a collaborative platform in blended learning.