Examining Interaction Patterns in Online Discussion through Multiple Lenses

This qualitative study investigated different interaction patterns in an online discussion. The data was collected from asynchronous discussion occurred in a graduate course. The data analysis methods include inductive analysis and mapping strategy. The results of the study suggest three layers of interaction: response sequences, interaction amongst participants, and concept map of messages. The visualization of response sequences enabled the researcher to discover complex and dynamic interaction patterns amongst participants. The many-to-many communication feature of online discussion does not always enable direct one-on-one interaction between two participants. Rather, one message contributed to multiple threads in the stream of conversation. In terms of interaction amongst participants, the interaction amongst participants, as indicated in the data, the messages also bind each participant and consequently a group(s) of participants together. It appears that the contribution of one message may not only enable a response to one participant, but also connect many participants to each other. The concept map of messages proposes that response sequences and interaction amongst participants can also be viewed between concepts within messages in the discussion. On the surface, the messages posted by individuals are linked by the system in a linear fashion as they are posted. However, the interaction extends to collaborative conversation amongst participants. Ultimately, a conceptual network of interrelated ideas including multiple perspectives is built in asynchronous discussion.