The level of participation and interaction in an online learning community

Authors

• Minna Toivanen Työterveyslaitos
• Kia Gluschkoff Työterveyslaitos
• Kirsi Yli-Kaitala Työterveyslaitos
• Inka Koskela Työterveyslaitos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33352/prlg.116526

Keywords:

e-learning, participation, collaborative learning, online learning community, interaction

Abstract

In the 2000s, online learning environments have become key places for developing the competencies of employees and work communities. However, various challenges related to participation have been identified in online learning.

This study aims to describe the level of participation and participation in the interaction, and factors affecting them, in an online learning community in the context of working life development. The approach applied is multi-methodological.

The research is based on an online training’s platform analytics (N= 45 participants) and the experiences of employees and facilitators involved in online trainings (interviews N= 13; survey N=98).

The examination of the analytics reinforces the notion that the number of dropouts increases after the initial enthusiasm; the level of participation differs greatly; participation is asynchronous, and the participants' conversational activity is unevenly distributed.  Furthermore, the analytics show that activation messages have an impact on participation levels. In the interviews, need and time were identified as the main issues impacting participation: training had to meet the participants’ needs and time challenges emerged as the main obstacles to participation. 

The participants attended the training with very different orientations: some were clearly focused on developing themselves and did not participate in the discussion on the platform, some were active, and some wished that there would have been a stronger social presence in the group.  All in all, the study created a more diverse picture of participation and participation in the interaction, and their prerequisites, in an online, work life related learning community.