Baxter, Jacqueline Aundree, and Jo Haycock. "Roles and student identities in online large course forums: Implications for practice." The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning 15.1 (2014).

This ideographic case study examines the use of large online discussion forums in a Level 2 undergraduate module at a large distance learning university, focusing on the forum's role in fostering a community of practice (COP), student identity, and motivation. With over 1,000 students participating, the study employs qualitative methodology to explore how participation impacts academic and social integration. Findings suggest that while forums can enhance academic integration and identity, they also pose barriers that negatively affect student motivation and online identity.