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Tips for Effective Online Discussions

  1. Announce rules of conduct for courteous exchanges at the start of a course. (See Netiquette for suggestions.)

  2. Post participation expectations and associate points with substantive contributions.2

  3. Start students off with an ungraded discussion, perhaps an ice-breaker, in order to work out any potential problems in the beginning.5

  4. Set up specific forums for specific purposes. For example, have a place for students to post general questions rather than emailing you directly.  You can also provide places where students can help each other or ask technical questions, as well as a place for casual conversation.

  5. Create a forum for "Weekly Discussions" and then a separate topic within each week in order to avoid being overwhelmed by the number of messages about a particular topic.

  6. Assign meaningful tasks. Carefully select topics that promote active discussion.3

  7. Keep discussion focused -- reframe questions if the discussion goes off topic.3

  8. Provide students with time to reflect, formulate ideas, and give thoughtful responses.4

  9. Assign private discussion space to small groups of 3 to 7 students. Share group achievements with the whole class.

  10.  Invite a guest expert to join the discussion for a short time.

  11. Extend learning by recommending additional resources.3  

References

1 Using Online Discussions to Enhance Face-to-Face Classes. Compiled by Andrea Saltzman Martin, saltzman@sandiego.edu. Retrieved March 14, 2007 from http://www.sandiego.edu/soetech/onlinediscussions/

2 Centre for the Support of Teaching (2004). Techniques for Effectively Structuring Online Discussion Groups: Lessons Learned from Experience! Retrieved March 14, 2007 from http://www.yorku.ca/cst/ideas/resources/owston_discuss.html

3 Lim, C.P. (2004). Engaging Learners in Online Learning Environments. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 48(4).

4 Peters, K.M. (2004). Creative Use of Threaded Discussion Areas. Retrieved March 14, 2007 from http://www.webct.com/OTL/ViewContent?contentID=898084

5 Waterford Institute for Technology (2004). WebCT Discussions Tool: Guide for Designers. Retrieved March 14, 2007 from http://www.wit.ie/library/webct/guides/Discussions_Tool/index.htm