how to use discussion board

by Prof. Florine Kilback 4 min read

Tips for Making Good Use of Discussion Boards

  • Set up and use the boards early. ...
  • Ask open-ended questions. ...
  • Vary the group size. ...
  • Vary the response form. ...
  • Encourage students to engage in conversation in their responses to each other. ...
  • Encourage students who need it most. ...
  • Offer students the option to start their own threads. ...
  • Give timely feedback. ...
  • Assess for quality rather than quantity. ...

More items...

Full Answer

How to set up discussion boards?

May 13, 2021 · To add a discussion board to the Blackboard Course Menu: Click the Discussions link on the Course Menu. Click Create Forum Link. Type a name for the link and choose the options you need. Click Submit. 3. How do I post on the discussion board in Blackboard …

How to create discussion board forums?

10 Tips for Success in Online Discussion Boards. Read Directions. Jody Thrash, Class of 2015, earned her MBA in Project Management 100% online from Florida Tech. Her biggest advice regarding the ... Support Your Opinions. Start Early. Ask Questions. Don’t Overdo It.

What is the purpose of a discussion board?

Mar 17, 2020 · Here are some tips provided by Pearson’s Faculty Advisors to help you get the most from your discussion boards. Post a grading rubric. Consider posting a grading rubric to set expectations and guide students to a complete response. A good discussion begins with a good question. Avoid questions that read like exam questions.

How to write a successful discussion board post?

image

How do you use a discussion board?

We offer the following suggestions for making good use of discussion boards.Set up and use the boards early. ... Ask open-ended questions. ... Vary the group size. ... Vary the response form. ... Encourage students to engage in conversation in their responses to each other. ... Encourage students who need it most.More items...

What is a discussion board and how does it work?

A Discussion Board is an asynchronous communication tool that allows students to collaborate with others through posting or answering questions. Students respond to a discussion board forum topic by creating a thread, or replying to an existing thread.

How do you use an online discussion board?

10 Tips for Effective Online DiscussionsConvey Clear Expectations. ... Adjust to the Discussion Board. ... Clarify Your Role. ... Provide Feedback and Coaching. ... Track Participation. ... Offer Groups and Discussion Board Alternatives. ... Create Questions You Care About. ... Select Discussion Leaders.More items...•Nov 21, 2018

How do you make a discussion board effective?

To help alleviate discussion board burn-out, here are some strategies that can be used to promote student learning while reducing instructor workload:Review Learning Outcomes. ... Post the Initial Response. ... Create Discussion Questions Beforehand. ... Promote Engagement. ... Additional Resources.More items...

How do you introduce yourself in a discussion board?

Discussions - Introduce YourselfYour name and the name you prefer to go by.Where are you from?What is your program of study?What are your post-college plans?What is one of your favorite places?Do you have a favorite team or band?Do you have any unusual talents?More items...

What is the point of discussion boards?

The ultimate goal of a discussion board assignment is to get students talking to each other. But instructors rethinking their discussion boards emphasize that they play an active role throughout the process. Some students might be shy or reluctant to participate early on.Mar 27, 2019

How do you engage students in online discussions?

Nine simple ways to increase student engagement in online discussion forums:ATTACH PHOTOS, IMAGES, VIDEOS, TWEETS, LINKS, ETC.: ... READ ALL THE POSTS: ... RESPOND TO STUDENTS WITH A QUESTION, AFFIRMATION, OR FEEDBACK: ... ASK QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENTS TO THINK: ... IF A DISCUSSION IS LAGGING, TRY RE-FRAMING THE QUESTION:More items...•Sep 17, 2020

How do students participate in online discussions?

How to increase student participation in online discussions#1: Embed online discussion into course design. ... #2: Explain why participation is required. ... #3: Require quality, not quantity. ... #4: Provide feedback to everyone. ... #5: Don't worry about introverts. ... #6: Provide guidelines for constructive conversation.More items...

How do you respond to an online discussion board?

How to Write and Respond to Discussion PostsUnderstand the Prompt.Refer to the Scoring Rubric.Present Evidence and Examples.Draft the Answer before Posting.Express Yourself Clearly.Respond in a Timely Manner.May 4, 2019

Why are discussion boards important for students?

When a student facilitates a discussion board, they feel an increased sense of ownership over their own learning, and the learning of their fellow students - they are more invested in the Page 4 learning process. Encourage your students - especially those who do not normally speak out in class.

How can discussion forums be used for learning?

Online forums can be used for many purposes, such as helping students to review material prior to an assignment or exam, engaging students in discussion of course material before coming to class, and reflecting on material that they have read or worked with outside of class.

How do you write a discussion board question?

Writing a Discussion QuestionDetermine the Objective. Before developing a discussion question, first determine what you want students to achieve. ... Determine the Type of Question. ... Engage the Students. ... Assess the Question. ... Be Involved.Oct 12, 2016

How can online discussion forums help students?

Online discussion forums can help students expand their knowledge of a particular topic by making them think outside the box and conduct independent research. Thrash, the MBA grad, advises tapping into Florida Tech’s online library for resources such as peer-reviewed journals, magazine articles and books. “Knowing how to access, cite and utilize this tool is of the utmost importance,” she says.#N#Often, discussion topics relate to current events or to students’ personal life experiences. When relevant, incorporating such sources into a response can generate additional discussion. Outside resources are invaluable for providing differentiated perspectives one may not necessarily see from just reading the text.

What are the pitfalls of online forums?

After all, students from across the United States and around the world may be participating in a virtual discussion board. Be mindful and avoid using profane, discriminatory or religious commentary that could offend and alienate classmates and instructors.

What is Jody Thrash's MBA?

Her biggest advice regarding the online discussion board is “to familiarize yourself with the requirements – know when, what and how much you are expected to post each week.” Online courses include specific instructions from professors as to what is expected from students, including the required length for responses. Students who write too long can lose valuable points toward a final grade.

What do online students need to do?

Online students must work to overcome the informality of a computer screen and initiate communication with an instructor or peer if they don’t understand an assignment. Much of how we communicate online, particularly in social media, is more casual than the standards of the professional world.

What is online course?

Online courses include specific instructions from professors as to what is expected from students, including the required length for responses. Students who write too long can lose valuable points toward a final grade.

What is a faculty advisor?

Pearson Faculty Advisors are a team of 10 North America Pearson employees who are all former educators committed to consulting on the best practices and implementation of our MyLab/Mastering/Revel products in order to help users get the most out of their digital experience. Many continue to teach part time to stay connected to students and education.

How to teach critical consumers?

Ask students to express an opinion and back up their position by applying course concepts. Encourage them to practice being critical consumers of information by having them use primary literature to back up their statements.

What is Ask the Instructor?

“Ask the Instructor” gives students the ability to post questions about the class or course content that you answer. This allows all students to see the same answer instead of getting the same question via email from multiple students.

What is a water cooler?

The Water Cooler. The Water cooler allows students a safe place to discuss anything not related to the course. This allows you to get to know your students’ personalities within an online environment even though you aren’t spending time with them in a classroom.

Why is a discussion board important?

The discussion board is an excellent tool for students who may feel more comfortable expressing their understanding of course content in a written format , as opposed to verbally. Discussion boards can also be used to further employ the resources of the Internet by allowing students to include hyperlinks to relevant content.

How to write a discussion thread?

Tips for writing a good discussion thread 1 The Three Part Post (Developed by Dr. Judith Boettcher, Executive Director of the Corporation for Research and Educational Networking) 2 If the discussion question asks you to respond to an open-ended query pertaining to a particular problem, challenge, or idea, a good thread will incorporate three parts:#N#Part 1: State what your thought or recommendation might be. In other words, answer the question, “What do you think?”#N#Part 2: State why you think what you think. Examine your own experiences, beliefs, or knowledge. It is also a good place to provide references, textual quotations, and/or links to materials that reinforce your opinion.#N#Part 3: State what you wish you knew or directly solicit the opinion of classmates (in other words, ask a question!)

image