5. Introduction:
Designing an effective online discussion is one of
the more challenging aspects that you will face, as a
novice or experienced online teachers. This
information is the first step in developing the skill to
design an effective online discussion. Facilitating
online discussion is addressed separately.
6. About online discussion:
They also serve as the “classroom” where ideas are
raised, examined and resolved. Online discussions
provide an opportunity for students to do more than
re-state information learned class. They are forums
that allow students to bring in outside information,
related course content to real-world events and apply
the material.
7. Opportunities:
•All students have a voice in the conversation
•Asynchronous discussion promotes deepened
reflection
•Students are encourage to bring in outside reading
or experiences
•You can have more individual contact with students
8. Challenges:
•Constructing and facilitating an effective
discussion forum is a skill that develops over
time.
•Time management can be a challenge for
students and yourself.
•Students may feel the discussion is busy work
to fill the time.
9. Design of an online discussion:
The careful design of an online discussion forum
is essential to ensure the conversation is
meaningful and aligned with course goals.
Just as in face to face discussion you need to
determine the intended outcome of the discussion
and craft questions that promote individual
exploration of a topic while at the same time
contributing to a common understanding.
10. An effective online
discussion question:
•Open ended
•Challenging
•Congruent with learning objectives
•Experiential, authentic
11. Example types of questions:
•What is the relationship between…?
•What inconsistencies or fallacies exist…?
•What is the applicability of..?
•Predict what would happen if…?
12. Time management:
Time management is online discussion forums can be a
struggle for both you and the students. An often heard
comment from instructors is that students expect them
to be online 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Even when
you do commit to an extensive online presence, the
students may feel you are not responsive.
13. Continue:
•Keep discussion groups small 5-7 members only.
•Indicate to students when you will be online.
•Indicate expectations for post length and number of
posts.
•Provide clear due dates for initial and follow up posts.
•Determine your strategy for online presence
• communicate it clearly to be the students and apply
•it consistently.
14. Require and grade participation:
Since much of the learning in an online class takes
place in the discussion forum be sure to value that
activity by allotting a significant percentage of the
course grade. It is not uncommon for online
participation to be weighted at 20% or more of the
final grade.
15. Groups and group sizes:
When teaching a class of more than 15
students it is advisable to have small
group discussions of approximately
5-7 students. Group discussions can help
keep the conversation focused and the
time commitment of the student
manageable.
16. Student created discussion questions:
Consider identifying students on a rotating basis to
provide a question for consideration by their peers.
The students can email you options before the
discussion forum begins. This is most appropriate
for more advanced students who have some mastery
of the content being discussed.
17. Assign roles:
Consider assigning roles so that every students has a
Specific responsibility within the discussion.
Role may include facilitator, summarizer, researcher,
task managers etc. Have the roles shift every
discussion.
