Postgraduate pedagogy in pandemic times: Online forums as facilitators of access to dialogic interaction and scholarly voices

In 2020, when the switch to remote teaching and learning required redesigning asynchronous on-line versions of face-to-face courses, we were concerned about whether access engaged dialogic could be facilitated in this new space. attempting address concern asked students a B Ed Honours course post, an online forum, their reflective responses weekly readings each other’s posts. This discussion forum became engine course. With permission, posts 2021 cohort, together with summative reading response assignment, analysed order understand different kinds interactions affordances for reducing potential alienation learning. One key findings that emerged from analysis is role interaction facilitating development personal, professional scholarly voices which contributed epistemic access. Our was informed by theoretical work Bakhtin on empirical scholars field critical pedagogies. We use examples writing ‘stronger’ ‘weaker’ student illustrate how negotiated roles positions themselves appropriating using textual resources available forum. argue value sustained practice ‘writing reading’, back’ one another on-line, gradual acquisition range confident enhanced understanding module content.