Abstract
This paper discusses the use of online discussion forums in various “e-democratic” practices in light of the lessons learned from the field of education. Informed by a conceptual framework drawn from the role of public sphere in electronic democracy and the ideal learning conditions of a computer-mediated communication environment, the author analyzed two discussion forums maintained by a government and a civil society group. Results suggest that, in both cases, online discussion forums only reflect a few elements of effective online learning and therefore, have yet to reach their full potentials. Implications for future research are discussed.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2008 |
Keywords
- Discussion Forum
- Electronic Democracy
- Online Learning
- Political Deliberation
Disciplines
- Communication
- Communication Technology and New Media
- Social Influence and Political Communication
- Social Media