My role will be to monitor the discussion so that it stays on topic and remains civil. I plan to encourage participation by asking questions that provoke thought about the topic. Leading the students to additional informational resources on the topic can stimulate better responses to the topic. Giving positive feedback when a student makes a valid point will encourage participation as well. Finally, expanding on their comments can show them that they were on the right path to understanding that subject.
The strategies I use to extend learner's thinking is asking questions. I find that questions are much more effective than making statements.
I try to bring their comments into 'the real world', meaning taking what they are saying and showing them how it plays a role in the jobs they are projecting themselves in. Then I usually ask follow up questions based on their statements that are usually individually pointed. That way, they feel a little more inclined to answer and then check back to see how I responded.
Still, I have some students who I can't get to respond no matter how many questions I ask them. Some of these students don't even bother to review the discussions once they've met the participation requirement. Feedback doesn't seem to work either.
Chris
As an online instructor I tend to use a "sandwich" technique in Discussion Boards. Once I read and think about a student’s submission, I try to find something very positive in the post and comment on it . For example, "You made a great point about...". Then I move on to corrections and questions. I try to find something in their comments that allows me ask a "sign post" question. A sign post (a.k.a. active listening) is a way to ask questions like, how could you..., tell me how that will..., can you explain the process with more detail...
With these types of questions I'm attempting to have the learner think, research and respond. I always try to stay away from yes and no questions.
As a facilitator of course discussions, I find that giving solutions to problems and simply telling students how to solve problems does not always work the best in discussion forums. To solve this challenge, I ask a lot of well crafted questions to draw students out.
Questions, when used properly in discussion forums, can help students to solve their own problems and work to the solution themselves. They also become more engaged by discussing the problem with their classmates and searching for a solution that best fits their needs.
I mainly teach 3D design classes so I find if I incorporate them posting their artwork in with the words they always come back to find critiques.
The role of the instructor is to start the discussions on the subject matter and to participate in the discussions. Make sure that you follow up with the replies to the discussion by asking another question on the subject that requires some research where it will catch the attention of the students and show them more about the subject that could interest them more.
I think it would come down to what type of student I'm dealing with. If I have one that understands that they are investing a large amount of money and time to learning and came to learn then the process is straight forward. I suspect they would keep me busy because they want to learn. But we also know that a large percentage will need encouragement, more time, and may not really want to learn. I guess I would have to find a way to trip a switch in their head to cause them to step up and do better. This could be a real challenge since we would not be meeting face to face.
Usually depending on the institution, discussion questions are a substantial part of the course grade. As an instructor my role in discussions would be to continue the discussion by adding additional follow up questions. Requirements would also include responding to additional post to receive full credit.
Eyad,
Well put, it is in the design of the questions and the course overall. Just short questions with simple answers do not engage the students in the content and also won't give you any variance in the answers provided. Asking them to reflect on the content with specific examples from their life provides more diversity in their answers because they are personal responses.
Herbert Brown III
One of the most successful ways that I have found to keep my students engaged is to ask multi part questions that cause them to reply and respond in multiple times. Also when you respond to them in a positive way they tend to keep others engaged in the discussion. It's all in the type of question you ask that will extend the learner's thinking on the intended outcome and allow them to keep the discussion going even past what you hope.
To keep students engaged in the conversation I will try to find out what interests them. I may even put out something controversial about the topic to get them fired up, to incourage response.
Tanya,
Your interaction in those discussions is of course paramount and the students will see your "presence" in the course that way. I also tell my students what the minimum is, and that the minimum means at best a "C" on a letter scales since that is average.
Herbert Brown III
Hi Herbert,
I always tell students that there is a minimum but submitting only the minimum means that I only have two peer posts to look at for grading. I encourage students to respond more to help balance out any mistakes made with new content. I also encourage them to ask questions, respond back when a questions is asked, and bring in links and anecdotes to connect to the topic. I find that students will not really respond to my posts but I will get in there to keep them on track and provide my own links and connections to the text.
Greg,
What kind of questions do you use in your discussions? Could more open-ended questions address some of this too? Any other characteristics you have found that help?
Herbert Brown III
I think that responding to student posts by asking a question might spark them or other students to answer it and this may result in them posting more than the minimum requirements.
I find that there are many students that only do the minimum. I try to respond to their posts asking follow up questions about the assignment, asking what their thoughts are on a specific element within the assignment, see if they would change anything if they were making the decisions, etc. I have found that some students will respond, but some they don't seem to case- even when there are told (in a separate email to only them) that they are not receiving full credit for the posts (and I have outlined some tips on how to improve the posts).
Mr. Brown
My greatest challenge in facilitating discussions is to motivate students to stay engaged. My role is to show presence in the discussion and post replies and original discussions that are interesting to the student. To encourage students my responses highlight and commend the student on good points they raised.
Other strategies I use to extend the learner’s thinking is to discuss real world experiences, ask questions and present scenarios. I try to get students to think about what they will be doing in the field and ask pertinent questions about how they would handle a situation or what they think about a specific guideline or procedure.
Debra
Tony,
So if I understand correctly you are asking the students to interact through discussions with three other students in the course. Do they ever get an opportunity to interact with the rest of the class members? The idea of building a community within our learners can be a vital component in student success and feelings of value of the coursework.
Herbert Brown III
