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Abstract:
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This qualitative interpretive research study of students participating in online discussion forums explores how the socio -constructivist nature of online discussion forums fosters the development of historical thinking . The study also focuses attention on the development of the historical understandings of students as they participant in online discussion forums in particular significance , empathy and agency . Set within the context of discussion forums and framed by socio -constructivism and historical thinking , the study uncovered what it means for students to “do history” and how students construct their own historical narratives as they interact with their peers online . Data collection included transcripts of online discussion forums , interviews with participants and the collection of other related artifacts . Findings suggest that the online discussion forums facilitate socio -constructivism in the classroom by providing students with extended opportunities to engage with their peers ideas and assumptions . Additionally , the findings also conclude that students understanding of significance , empathy and agency are related to their interactions with both the official and unofficial curriculums and the temporal and physical proximity of examples to students lived experiences . |