Online questioning and participation
I teach fully online courses. Learners cannot just attend in an online class. They must participate somehow. Sometimes the responses to discussion questions may be short, or something like "great post!" or "I agree." To get more participation, I ask for substantive thoughts of at least three sentences. I ask what more could be addeed to this response?
Dependent on the topic, I may give a personal story. In an ethics class, I may tell of a health care ethics issue that I personally have dealt with. Or, in health care management, I may discuss a real situation that has occurred. This type of discussion followed by a question such as "Your thoughts?" seems to really bring forward lively discussions.
Learners will post above their minimum requirement when their interests are piqued or they really have something to say.
I like your ideas. In an online class, I think that the instructor plays a key role in modeling the type of answer that they are looking for. Some of my favorite posts are when students begin to ask thoughtful questions of each other.
Hi Thomas - thanks for your post to the forum. As online instructors we need to hold our students to certain standards which is why I believe that grading rubrics are essential.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career, Susan
I think you're correct in making the requirment to write a substantive answer to an on-line duscussion question. The longer answer will help the writer learn via thinking, and the reader will benefit, too, from the writer's effort.
HI Cheryl - Thanks for your post to the forum. You are really doing a great job of creating an online community environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
