why discussion activity in online course

Discussion forums can be a powerful medium for online training because they promote interaction between the instructor and learners, and among learners. They become a valuable platform to share thoughts and ideas. Discussions lead to deeper insights on the subject and help learners uncover new aspects of it.

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Why use discussion boards in online courses?

Aug 12, 2019 · Discussion forums can be a powerful medium for online training because they promote interaction between the instructor and learners, and among learners. They become a valuable platform to share thoughts and ideas. Discussions lead to deeper insights on the subject and help learners uncover new aspects of it.

What are the benefits of online classroom discussion?

Having online discussions on the course lectures allows the instructor to continue course discussions even once the f2f time is over. It can also be a great way for students to integrate learning from classroom lectures into discussion conducted online.

How can I encourage students to participate in an online discussion?

May 01, 2019 · Why we like it: Crafting an argument and approaching an issue from a specific viewpoint can be motivating and fun. Online instructor Todd Wilkinson agrees, saying, “Debating with other students provides extra motivation to make good arguments and present oneself well, which are both important in this type of work.”

Why don’t students use discussion forums?

Nov 08, 2016 · Online discussion fosters collaboration and higher order thinking skills that better prepare students for the type of work they’ll find in college and career. Once teachers and students learn how to have robust online conversations, there is never any doubt as to what the students know and what needs to be retaught. Join the Conversation

Why are discussions important in online learning?

Discussion boards help to create a social presence in an online course along with a sense of community. Presence and community, in turn, can foster emotional connections. They also improve student learning and can create greater feelings of satisfaction with the course.

Why is discussion important in learning?

Discussion is important to learning in all disciplines because it helps students process information rather than simply receive it. Leading a discussion requires skills different from lecturing. The goal of a discussion is to get students to practice thinking about the course material.

What are the advantages of discussion activities?

The advantages include: Increases students' interests and engagement – lectures mixed with discussions can help maintain students' focus. As they discuss their answers, they get different perspectives on the topic. Good questions and answers can get students to think deeply and make connections.

Why should online teachers consider online discussion in online learning classes?

Online discussion provides opportunities for students to engage in the learning process deliberately and proactively by interacting with other students (Kozan & Richardson, 2014). Through discussion, students can identify issues or problems, explore solutions, integrate them, and resolve the issues.

What is the purpose of discussion?

Discussion methods are a variety of forums for open-ended, collaborative exchange of ideas among a teacher and students or among students for the purpose of furthering students thinking, learning, problem solving, understanding, or literary appreciation.

What are the benefits of using discussion as a teaching strategy?

Using discussions as a primary teaching method allows you to stimulate critical thinking. As you establish a rapport with your students, you can demonstrate that you appreciate their contributions at the same time that you challenge them to think more deeply and to articulate their ideas more clearly.

Why is group discussion important for students?

Help with Understanding: Group discussion use to help students to understand a topic or concept deeply which will stay for a long time in their minds. Improve Communication Skills: It is also used to improve communication skills as it can encourage students to become more confident in speaking up and asking questions.Sep 25, 2018

What are five advantage of discussion method?

The Discussion Method produces student learning outcomes including (1) how to reconcile opposing arguments; (2) how to think on one's own two feet; (3) how to formulate cohesive arguments to reach a consensus; (4) how to mitigate fear of sharing individual opinions by building relationship among classmates; (5) how to ...Nov 5, 2020

What is the advantage of group discussion?

Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Group DiscussionAdvantagesDisadvantagesMore interactive than a lectureCan get very confusingStudents have a tendency to stay focusedNot everyone will get a chance to express their viewsCan improve gradesMay not be as effective as a lecture2 more rows•Mar 9, 2022

How can online discussions enhance student learning?

Online discussion fosters collaboration and higher order thinking skills that better prepare students for the type of work they'll find in college and career. Once teachers and students learn how to have robust online conversations, there is never any doubt as to what the students know and what needs to be retaught.Nov 8, 2016

What research tells us about online discussion?

Researchers found that responses generally contained supportive messages about others' postings. This is important, as people who do not teach online often assume that students will start flaming on online discussion boards.Mar 17, 2017

Which best describes an advantage of an online discussion?

Which best describes an advantage of an online discussion? Members have more time to reflect on others' ideas before responding.

Why Is It Important?

Online discussions are popular for many pedagogical reasons that center on their anyplace, anytime format. That is because online discussions:

How to Put Into Practice

Beyond their anyplace, anytime format, discussions in the online environment are quite similar to those in a face-to-face classroom as far as putting them into practice.

Types of Online Discussions

There are also a number of types of online discussions, each differing based on their intended content and composition. Instructors are encouraged to use a number of these types in order to best promote community within the online course.

What is the most important part of an online course?

Discussion boards are arguably the most important part of the online course. In a traditional f2f classroom, students see each other and interact in the physical classroom space. In an online course, discussion boards provide that same visible, interactive space for students to interact academically and socially with their peers.

What is CAT in online teaching?

After students review asynchronous content and/or attend a synchronous class session, a quick Classroom Assessment Technique (CAT) can provide both students and instructor with information about how learning is happening.

How can online discussions help students?

Through creating high quality discussion questions that engage students, and asking them to think beyond the normal boundaries they are used to, and then moderating interactive and substantive online discussions, the instructor can help students achieve higher levels of learning both inside and outside the face-to-face classroom.

What is online discussion?

An online discussion is very similar to a f2f talk in that they require moderation and active management by the instructor, preparation time, and summarization of the concepts covered. In this learning guide an online discussion is defined as communication between instructors and students using interactive communication tools. These tools can take many forms, from chat sessions, to discussion forums, to video chat. The value of the online discussion is that even those students who are shy and timid can find the time to express their views, and more in-depth dialogue between students-students can occur.

How long does a classroom discussion last?

A classroom discussion can only last as long as the class hours allow and may take time away from lectures and other activities that the instructor needs to give to the students. Having online discussions on the course lectures allows the instructor to continue course discussions even once the f2f time is over.

What is the role of an instructor in online learning?

The role of the instructor changes from a learning guide to a learning facilitator, and the presence of the instructor to support learning in the online delivery mode is essential to student satisfaction. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to when an instructor should use online discussions, how often, and how much they should interact within ...

What is a forum in school?

Forums are places where students can learn about recent events and keep themselves updated. They can come together to learn new words and have a debate about various topics, during which they can learn about each other's points of view.

What is a forum?

A forum should be a place for everyone to come together and share their knowledge; a platform for everyone to gain knowledge from others. Learners will be able to see the world from each other's perspectives and grow together. The idea of an "ideal hero" differs for both the western and the eastern world. They have different ideologies and perspectives. That's their culture and how they have been brought up. Hence, when learners interact with each other, they can learn about different cultures. They can incorporate or learn from other's habits and make them their own.

Why do students need peer review?

Students do not need to wait for a teacher evaluation, they can participate in peer review where they give each other constructive feedback and critique each other in a healthy environment. They are able to understand their own mistakes and improve areas while scanning through the papers of others. If another paper is more detailed and better, they are bound to note it and use it to improve themselves. Peer review also helps to increase interactions and help learners develop rapidly through more interaction and feedback. The instructor is there to supervise and validate the facts of the learners and point them in the right direction, but the learners can also help each other stay pointed in the right direction.

What is traditional discussion?

The reality is that most online courses have what we call “traditional discussions,” which follow the read-write-post (and perhaps reply to a peer or two) pattern. Even if the discussion questions are interesting, both instructors and students can get tired of the same old routine. We recommend trying any of these five “twists” on traditional discussions in the next online course you work on. These activities encourage student engagement and critical thinking, and they might help you feel more connected to your students as well!

What is reflection in a discussion board?

Then, after posting to the discussion board, students review the perspectives of their peers and write a reflection based upon information from all roles and reflections.

What are your suggestions for keeping students engaged during online discussions?

Teachers have to do a better job of creating discussion questions that get the conversation going without much involvement on the teacher’s part. When teachers are removed from the conversation, students talk to and learn from each other.

What are the most promising outcomes you see from encouraging students to have robust online discussions?

Although there is not a lot of research yet in this area, one study conducted by Robert Jorczak and the Online Learning Consortium showed that students who participated in online discussions performed better on course exams than students who only participated in class discussions.

GSI Example: Online Discussion Forum Assignment

I used a discussion forum to offer students a structured opportunity to interact with each other online around exam time. For the purpose of reviewing for the exam students posted questions they had about course material, and other students answered them in the online forum.

Why Do Some Online Discussions Fall Flat?

It’s extremely useful to diagnose what may be going wrong with a discussion forum. Some common reasons why students may not participate include:

Tips for Creating an Active Discussion Forum that Benefits Student Learning

Think through your student learning goals. Before choosing to use a discussion forum in your class, it is important to think through why a forum is the most appropriate tool to help you reach your student learning goals.

What is online discussion?

The takeaway: Online discussions are a great way to think deeply about content by sharing ideas with classmates. In a post-first discussion, students can offer opinions free from the influence of classmates. Be bold, state and defend what you think, and you will enhance your learning experience. Tags: , , ,

Why do faculty assign discussion board questions?

Online faculty assign discussion board questions because there is an overwhelming amount of research saying students deeply learn and grow through frequent conversations and debates on salient academic topics. Researchers say the online forum promotes deeper engagement with subject matter and gives a voice to those feeling stigmatized. [.