Abstract

We conducted this research following the qualitative action research paradigm to improve the experience of business students enrolled in business analytics courses. Many students have struggled in these courses as they have become bottleneck courses for these students. Students’ attitudes toward business analytics have been generally negative. As faculty, we have seen anxiety and lowered course grades. We employed anchored asynchronous online discussions as a means to extend students’ connections and interactions beyond the face-to-face class meeting. We collected data through essays written by the students about their experience with using the anchored asynchronous online discussions (AAODs) in these courses. We coded and analyzed the data using Qualrus, a qualitative analysis software program. Students found that AAODs to be more inviting for their involvement, felt the freedom to select any segment from the subject, enjoyed their interactions, and were pleased with the discussions overall.

Share

COinS
 

Experience with Using Anchored Asynchronous Online Discussions in Business Analytics Courses

We conducted this research following the qualitative action research paradigm to improve the experience of business students enrolled in business analytics courses. Many students have struggled in these courses as they have become bottleneck courses for these students. Students’ attitudes toward business analytics have been generally negative. As faculty, we have seen anxiety and lowered course grades. We employed anchored asynchronous online discussions as a means to extend students’ connections and interactions beyond the face-to-face class meeting. We collected data through essays written by the students about their experience with using the anchored asynchronous online discussions (AAODs) in these courses. We coded and analyzed the data using Qualrus, a qualitative analysis software program. Students found that AAODs to be more inviting for their involvement, felt the freedom to select any segment from the subject, enjoyed their interactions, and were pleased with the discussions overall.