What are the conditions for online participation in education?

A glance at the socio-demographic conditions of educational participation on the Net reveals familiar structures. Younger students are more active than older citizens. This is particularly true of creative or productive forms of Internet use (Correa, 2010). Gender distinctions show that male students use the Internet more intensely in a private capacity. They also believe themselves to be more capable than their female colleagues. But this does not mean that educational participation on the Net is a male preserve. Quite the opposite. Women use online courses more frequently than men, possibly because they are easier to accommodate in their professional lives (Caspi et al., 2008). Female students are more actively involved in learning environments (Arbaugh, 2000); they communicate more and make greater use of collaborative functions (Erstad, 2006; Robinson & Hullinger, 2008).

The development of adequate skills to participate in educational opportunities on the Internet presents a particular challenge. A high appreciation of one’s own competencies and a playful attitude towards the Internet promote participation in online offerings (Spence & Usher, 2007). But which competencies are needed for this participation? Besides eLiteracy, the ability to use the Internet, the necessary competencies include those that promote the use of several platforms and a multimedia environment. Creativity and sound judgement – with regard to the quality and credibility of educational offerings – are also among the core competencies in online education (Kimber & Wyatt-Smith, 2010; Grell & Rau, 2011). A „literacy of empowerment“ is fostered, meaning the ability to create, collaborate and participate critically, given that online participation in education is based not least on autonomy and independence (Asselin & Moayeri, 2011). It remains to be seen whether traditional offerings within education are able to strengthen these competencies.

Forums offer students an opportunity to share experiences and provide tips and assistance on lectures and courses

Example 25: „Uniboard.ch“ is one of the online forums that students use to share experiences and provide tips and assistance on lectures and courses.