Gasmi, Afef Ahmed. "Through the Lens of Students: How Online Discussion Forums Affect Students' Learning." International Journal of Technology in Education 5.4 (2022): 669-684.

This exploratory study investigated how 13 students perceived the use of online discussion forums in a virtual English Language course at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, focus group interviews, and researcher observation. Findings indicated that students generally viewed asynchronous discussion forums positively, noting improvements in critical reading, thinking, reflection, engagement (behavioral, emotional, cognitive), and social skills. However, the study also identified several challenges associated with these forums. The results have implications for the design and implementation of online discussion forums in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses and highlight the need for further research on their impact on students' academic outcomes.