Mokoena, Sello. "Engagement with and participation in online discussion Forums." Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET 12.2 (2013): 97-105.

This article presents a small-scale study on student engagement and participation in a university online discussion forum. The study aimed to identify factors that encourage or discourage participation, using data from forum tasks and discussions. Conducted in a postgraduate module at an open and distance learning institution in South Africa, the study employed a grounded theory approach. Findings revealed that participation alone does not ensure effective use of forums or enhanced learning. Increased effectiveness and interaction were linked to greater social presence by lecturers, including technical support, constructive feedback, and clear expectations.