Computer Science Online Learning

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of structured discussion forums on students'' learning in computer science courses that were entirely conducted online. More specifically the study proposed a structure for discussion forums and investigated its impact on the acquisition of the three kinds of knowledge: know-what know-how and know-why. Know-what refers to knowledge about facts know-how refers to the ability to do something and know-why refers to knowledge about causality nature in the human mind and in society. The second research question examined the impact of structured discussion forums on the improvement of collaborative skills by the students. In addition the study investigated whether there is a relationship between students'' active participation and the level of knowledge they have acquired from the discussion forum.