January 2012 Volume 15 Number 1 - Educational Technology ...

future. Therefore, they had an opportunity for self-evaluation and connection theory with practice, and thus it might
result in a high percentage of metacognitive interaction as the quote indicated.
Hello! My name is Bridget. I already posted several responses. Now I am posting the initiation. I was
very shy and not sociable. I did not try without any help. My major is vocal music and I need a
charisma for singing in public. I knew that sociability was important after I was a college student. I
have faithfulness as a leader’s trait. I did not challenge the new task but I kept going if I started a
task. I did not have confidence and determination. I think that trait theory is more effective than
situational theory. Of course, it is important to learn in the process of life. However, the person who
has a trait from a birth easier achieves good results.
Students sympathized and developed confidence to be a leader through sharing a similar experience. Sharing
previous peers’ school experience and future plans sometimes cheered them up and changed their perspectives. Thus,
students internalized what they already knew and newly learned through learner-learner interaction or had a chance
to experience critical reflection as the following quotes illustrated.
I was focused on situational theory but I changed my mind. I don’t think that only one theory is the
best. Some people are born with leader’s trait and others aren’t. I think that people should suitably
consider both situational and trait theory according to the situation.
Your posting is good because it is based on your experience. Your experience becomes a valuable
resource when you will be a leader. If you are used to the necessary task or relationship as a follower
now, you will better understand and lead group members as a leader in the future. I agree with
situational theory. I think if we make an effort to grow necessary attributes, we can be a good leader.
I am very confused between trait theory and situational theory. I preferred trait theory before. I think
that 99% effort is valuable. I’m not sure which theory is better as time go on.
Figure 3. Distribution of Each Phase of Knowledge Construction
There were 493 messages regarding knowledge construction which covered 92.0% of the total messages. As Figure 3
illustrates, messages belonged to phase 1-2 covered 65% but a comparatively high percentage of messages belonged
to phase 3. This study showed a result of 43%; 22%; 26%; 2%; 7% from phase 1 to phase 5 respectively. Comparing
previous studies in which most messages were within Phase 1 and 2 (e.g., Chai & Tan, 2009; Fahy et al., 2001;
Gunawaredena et al., 1997; Kanuka & Anderson, 1998), the result confirmed the potential of online fora in which the
previous studies noted the messages belonged to phase 3 (Celentin, 2007; Moore & Marra, 2005; Schellens &
Valcke, 2005). However, reviews of studies on addressing meaningful status of phase 3 stated that higher phase of
knowledge construction are difficult to achieve. Schellens and Valcke’s study (2005), for example, reported a result
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