Discussion Posts
I teach at a couple of online schools and the discussion forum can get hard for me. Many students don't know how to post responses to the questions. When they respond to my posts or classmates, it is even worse. They think that "you did a good job" or "I liked your post" are okay to put. I even correct the students by sending out directions on what makes a post substantive to all students in the class. Sometimes this helps, sometimes it doesn't. What are some tips you can give to get students to post correctly in the forum?
Mischel,
Sometimes it helps to provide them with an example as well so the students clearly understand what an appropriate discussion post or response looks like. The sample also provides the instructor with a ready remediation tool to send students to when they ask why they didn't get full points for the assignment.
Herbert Brown III
Hi Kara,
I truly understand your dilemma. The discussion posts are the most challenging for me as well. Like you, if a student's post does not meet the criteria of a substantive post, I will clarify the criteria for them again. Sometimes I will send them a personal email with further guidance to assist them in their post. I advise them that failure to comply will result in losing very valuable points.
Hi Kara, when I see students do this; I usually reply to them with a question for them to answer. In addition, I ding them heavily and inform them why and this often results in them replying properly on their next thread.
Joan,
You have listed a common problem or at least it has been for me in my courses. I like your new approach and look forward hearing if it is successful for you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The discussion posts are the most difficult part of teaching an online course, for me. All the students say the same thing. Now I am posting an additional post daily relating to the original topic. I have just started doing this so I don't know yet if it will work.
Kara,
Good question for which I don't have a specific solution. I give examples of appropriate posts, then I edit the work of the students so they can see what the expectations are. As you say sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I have created a category called "Professional Points" at different times in my courses. Professional points are awarded when students post correctly. The points are sufficient in amount to catch the attention of the students so they work hard to improve their posts to earn the points. This has been quite successful for me.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
