Blogging is "no longer an upstart" activity (Sobel, 2010) with 32% of adults aged eighteen and older reading blogs and 14% of these adults contributing to their own blogs (Zickuhr, 2010). A desire to overcome transactional distance (Moore, 1999) is driving more and more online instructors to consider using alternative ways to connect with students. Interactions among students and instructors, and between students and their peers can help students engage with online course content. Especially among faculty drawn toward authentic learning and away from "walled gardens," blogging is becoming a viable way for instructors to help students increase their social presence (Moore, 1999) online, as well as connecting students to their peers. Fini (2009) notes the trend in higher education "towards distributed, general-purpose, user-centered, and user-owned systems, such as social software tools." Building on previous research of asynchronous online interactions (Hull & Saxon, 2009; Moore, 1999; Wegmann & McCauley, 2010), this presentation will focus on the results of an analysis of student blog postings to determine students' engagement levels in an online course. In keeping with case study research methodology (Stake, 1985), this research project will describe rich, thick descriptions of students' blogs. This research relies on face-to-face classroom discourse theories (e.g., Cazden, 1986; Mehan, 1979) as well as recent online discourse analysis (Richardson & Ice, 2010) to describe blog use among college students in terms of their engagement with course content (e.g., Kim, 2008). Because discourse patterns shape the communication and thinking of the classroom (Cazden, 1986), it is essential that rich discussions which lead to deeper thinking be encouraged (Newman, Webb, & Cochrane, 1995), even when considering online asynchronous discussions. A grounded theory with suggestions for classroom practice emerged after close analysis of students' blogs. The presenters will share research outcomes as well as a list of effective strategies for online instructors. Participants will receive a handout packet including a summary of research findings, effective strategies to increase students' interactions online, and actual course materials used to support student blogging. REFERENCES Cazden, C. (1988). Classroom discourse. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Fini, A. (2009). The technological dimension of a massive open online course: The case of the CCK08 course tools. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning , 10(5). Retrieved May 27, 2011 from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/643/1402 Hull, D., & Saxon, T. (2009, April 1). Negotiation of Meaning and Co-Construction of Knowledge: An Experimental Analysis of Asynchronous Online Instruction. Computers & Education, 52(3),624-639. Kim, H. (2008). The phenomenon of blogs and theoretical model of blog use in educational contexts. Computers & Education, 51, 1342-1352. Mehan, H. (1979). Learning lessons. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Moore, M. G. (1991). Distance education theory. The American Journal of Distance Education, 5(3), 1-6. Newman, D.R., Webb, B., & Cochrane, C. (1995). A content analysis method to measure critical thinking in face-to-face and computer supported group learning. Interpersonal Computing and Technology, 3(2), 56-77. Richardson, J., & Ice, P. (2010). Investigating students' level of critical thinking across instructional strategies in online discussions. Internet & Higher Education, 13(1/2), 52-59. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2009.10.009. Savenye, W.C. (2005). Improving online courses: What is interaction and why use it? Distance Learning, 2(6), 22-29. Sobel, J. (2010, November 3). State of the blogosphere 2010 introduction. Technorati. Retrieved May 31, 2011 from http://technorati.com/blogging/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-2010-introduction. Stake, R. E. (1985). Case study. In J. Nisbet (Ed.), World yearbook of education, 1985: Research,policy, and practice. (pp. 277-301) London: Kogan Page. Wegmann, S., & McCauley, J. (2010). Investigating Asynchronous Online Communication: a Connected Stance Revealed. Presentation at 2011 Sloan Consortium Annual Conference, Orlando, FL. Zickuhr, K. (2010). Generations online in 2010. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved May 31, 2011 from http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Generations-2010/Overview.aspx
