Motivating learners to participate in online discussions: lessons from research for teacher preparation

Abstract

Online education is used widely across educational sectors for reasons including increased flexibility and improved learning opportunities. Significant investments have been made in provision of systems and software, and much has been written about instructional design and pedagogy in the new environments. Nevertheless, research suggests that the pedagogical potential of online education is not being fully realised and that preparation of instructors for working in the new environment should be a priority. Questions about what should be the content of such preparation arise. This paper responds to some of those questions by reporting on research about the motivation of learners for participating in online discussion and suggesting steps that online instructors may take to enhance motivation and participation for learning.