Alleviating the Senses of Isolation and Alienation in the Virtual World: Socialization in Distance Education

The magnitude of distance education in today's pedagogical businesses is irrefutable. Implementation of discussion forums in distance learning has a profound impact on learners’ achievement and it is highly recommended (Rose & Ray, 2011; Shana, 2009). There should be social, teaching, and cognitive presence in an online educational community (Tucker, 2012, ). On a web-based discussion forum, learners can socialize, make pen pals, receive comments from teachers, and learn in groups in a virtual community. Adaptive and collaborative online discussion forums are already used by multifarious English learning websites; nonetheless, apparently, it is not implemented by English language centers in Malaysia. The study aims to examine English learners’ readiness to use online discussion forums (oral and verbal communication). A dual moderator focus group was used to conduct the study. Whilst some of the questions were arisen from the factors demonstrated in the modified technology acceptance model (TAM) in E-learning (Masrom, 2007), the others were brought by the participants themselves. The discussions were transcribed and the collected data were coded, reduced, and displayed to draw the conclusion. As an outstanding result of the qualitative exploratory research, English learners expressed a strong desire to use web-based discussion forums. Thus, an online discussion board will possibly increase the online participation of English learners. The outcome of this study elaborates on the key success factors in the implementation of E-learning as an online service marketing tool which results in augmentation of the future user numbers, amplification of learner e-loyalty and retention, attracting more potential clients, increase in learner satisfaction level, and profitability of English language centers in Malaysia. Furthermore, implementation of web-based discussion forums might be a contributing factor to ameliorate the predicament of isolation and alienation in addition to meet the English (language) learners’ need for socialization on the Internet.