Pena-Shaff, J., & Altman, W. (2015). Student interaction and knowledge construction in case-based learning in educational psychology using online discussions: The role of structure. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 26(3), 307-329.
In this study Pena-Shaff and Altman analyzed students’ patterns of participation, interaction and knowledge construction in asynchronous online case-based discussions in two Educational Psychology classes with different participation and interaction guidelines. The analyses illuminates patterns of knowledge construction in online discussions and the role of structure in the interaction patterns of students. An interesting finding is that students’ construction of knowledge appeared to be mainly self-reflective, even when it began by acknowledging the contributions of others, or clarifying information for others. The authors concluded that the gradual posting of questions to help guide the discussions may be a more effective way than posting all the questions at once to help students construct the conceptual space, create relationships between conceptual knowledge and facts, and evaluate solutions.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20151014085620324