From this module I learned that there are two types of discussions, Asynchronous and Synchronous. Asynchronous discussions are discussions that occur over time and may or not be in real-time, while synchronous discussions are in real-time. Asynchronous discussions provide a shelter for all students, especially for students who would not typically participate in a discussion in a classroom setting. I also learned strategies for promoting and monitoring asynchronous discussions, such as providing students with rules for netiquette, posting and monitoring all discussion questions, and providing feedback in a fair and consistent manner.
Participants in Synchronous discussions should be kept to a minimum of 5-6 participants. Conduct the discussion time for no longer than 30 minutes. Participants should be provided the information to be discussed well in advance in order for them to prepare for the discussion session.
The last thing learned was the importance of providing feedback in a timely manner, which should be encouraging, builds confidence, and motivates them to continue pursing the learning objectives. As instructors, we should seek feedback from our students to determine how they feel the class is going, to find out if they are learning, and to make needed adjustments.
