Nori:
This si an excellent strategy to stimulate Discussion, especially if participation in Discussion Forums contribute to the final grade. Along the same lines, perr evaluation o each other's rsponses to specific topics would also expend the discussion thread.
Satrohan
Depending on the subject matter being taught, I might require students to find an article or paper online that relates to a specific class topic and post those links on the discussion board. Students would then need to visit one of the websites, (not the one they found), read the material and provide their comments/opinions.
Paula:
I agree that Discussion questions should be written in such a manner that they do not solicit one word answers or extremely short answers. In addition to personalizing your rssponses, what other measures can you take to make participation in Discussion forums a meaningful and revwarding expereince?
Satrohan
Learners have to be provided with all the information needed for the discussion or they will feel inadequate to participate freely. Try personalizing your responses as a on-line instructor so students feel inclusive. Open-ended questions will always stimulate some further discussion.
Jennie:
A number of variables could contribute to inadequate participation in Discussion Forums. Definitely, the close-ended questions are a definite contributor. If I were to assume that there is a logical relationship between the learning outcomes and the Discussion questions, as a result of which students will perceive the purpose of the Discussion, and see it as a meaning learning activity; then the only factor that comes to my mind is whether participation in the Discussion Forum is graded (contributes to the student's final grade). If they are graded, then is the number of marks adequate to make it worthwhile for students to participate.
It is a weel known fact that human beings are proned to follow the lines of least resistance---no reward------leass likelihood of expending any effort.
Without seeing all of the course components, it is difficult for me to provide a complete answer. You may also want to check on the student workload for the week in which they have to participate in the Discussion forum. Check also into the number of Discussion questions to which they have to respond.
Satrohan
Advanced assignments of a student as the lead of a discussion question might help. Other students can prepare for the discussion question to encourage open discussion. And of course, I agree that we should avoid the closed ended question.
In my own experience, students have tended to mimic the required reading instead of analyzing the thoughts within the concepts. As instructors, we may try to assess the participation grade in accordance with the level of analysis instead of the amount of on line time or amount of typing.
