Being an active participant in the online discussion boards
What are some of the ways other instructors become active participants in their class discussion boards?
Sarah,
Our Discussion Board assignments have a set of questions that students need to answer. I always make sure to reply to each post in the discussion boards. I normally tell them what part of the assignments they did well on and what parts they need to improve on and suggest ways to redo their work correctly. This way, not only I will be an active participant but the students, as well. It is a bit time consuming but it really helps the students understand the topics better.
Kimberley,
These steps you have identified are well established best practices for enhancing student participation within the discussion boards. Nice work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
One way that instructors can become active participants in their class discussion boards is by posting questions at the beginning of the week to stimulate the discssion. I try to give my student suggestions and topics to consider as they answer the discussion posts.
I also post " Consider This" questions. As i review some of the answers duing the week i post comments and questions based on the recurring theme or answers presented by students.
Sara,
This is an outstanding example of maximizing a discussion board. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Instructor can be active participants in their class room discussion boards in numerous ways. I try to have a presence throughout the discussion. For instance, our discussion boards begin Monday and end on Sunday. I will post early on Monday, with a "Points to Ponder". This provides students additional open-ended questions that relate to the unit's topic. Next, by Tuesday or Wednesday, I will post additional resources and respond to a few of the students. I will continue to respond to students throughout the week and end with a 'summary' post on Sunday.
Amy,
These are excellent activities to appropriately enhance students' engagement. Well stated. Thank you for you contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have found that open ended questions work well, or scenarios. Providing new information, links to other sources, and providing examples all promote a sense of involvement and also helps to draw students in. Depending on the topic, I will post an article or visual aid for the reader.
Lisa,
Thank you for your kind affirmation.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Lisa,
Well stated. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
David,
Providing a relevant link in the classroom to a website (pertaining to course content) and then asking learners to comment on contents of the site could certainly help extend learning on the respective topic. It also helps them to become familiar with other resources that are relevant to the topic at hand. Good suggestion.
Sarah,
Instructors can become active participants in their class discussion boards by asking questions that extend the learning. They can also be active by extending knowledge on a certain topic, offering suggestions and feedback to learners that help them think about the topic in a more dynamic manner. Providing students with additional resources to consider as well as an opposing viewpoint can certainly stimulate additional discussion on the DB.
Dr. Lisa Reason
Sarah,
One of the successful means I have used and heard from others that it works for them is the link to a website with a request for input from the students. Choose one to three websites that address the content being covered and request the students to compare or contrast the websites' approach, position on the topic and how well the website represents that position. Of course, multiple variations using websites and questions can be implemented.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
