Abstract:

While much has been written about student engagement as measured by interactions in online discussion forums and its relationship to student success, little, if any, research has been done to connect student engagement as measured by non-interactions in online discussion forums and its relationship to student success. Learning Management Systems (LMSs) have the ability to measure student engagement by tracking the frequency of discussion forum posts and replies (interactions), and the frequency of discussion forum views (non-interactions). This initial exploratory study sought to determine whether relationships existed between students’ frequency of discussion forum activities—posts, replies, and views—and student success. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine type and strength of relationships. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to recruit 38 participants. Data showed meaningful findings, which yielded statistically significant, modest or moderate positive partial relationships in discussion forums posts, replies, and views, and student success. This study attempted to fill the gap in the literature by identifying additional measures of student engagement in online environments. Results from the study can potentially inform administrators and educators in making data-based decision to improve teaching and learning practices, thus increasing retention and graduation rates.

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