In an online learning environment, the online discussion forum is often considered the heart of the learning community (Boettcher, & Conrad, 2010). It is in the discussion forum that learners are able to connect with course material through their own synthesis of resources alongside the analysis of their classmates (Oosterhof, Conrad, & Ely, 2008). It is also a place where learners can reflect on their own experiences and apply them to the content throughout a course (Boettcher, & Conrad, 2010). A final important aspect of online education is the collaboration that can be created as part of the discussion forum. The discussion forum is often an online learner's first experience in a new learning format, therefore a positive interactive experience is very important (Boettcher, & Conrad, 2010). With these thoughts on online discussion forums in mind consider these questions.
1. What was your most memorable experience with an online discussion forum?
2. Describe the interaction in the forum community with the instructor and with other members of the learning community. (In other words was the interaction driven by the instructor, or was it more leaner driven?)
3. Was the atmosphere like in the forum? (Was it inviting, hostile, competitive, collaborative, polite?)
4. What did the instructor do (or did not do) that contributed the to an atmosphere of community and collaboration in the discussion forum?
5. How were you assessed in the discussion forums? Do think these assessments were appropriate for the type of learning that took place in the discussion forum?
By Wednesday
Use the questions above and discuss your most memorable discussion forum experience. Focus on the atmosphere of the forums and whether the instructor and students were able to create a community of positive engagement and collaboration. Compare your experience with the best practices of online discussions given in this week's learning resources.
By Sunday
Respond to at least two initial discussion posts of your classmates. Compare your experience to theirs, and offer constructive comments, suggestions, or expand on their thinking. Include references to either course materials or resources outside course materials within the responses.
It is expected that responses to initial posts will be given in a timely manner (Timely being within 1-2 days of the initial post).
It is also expected that learners will respond to those who have taken the time to read and respond to their initial posts.
Discussion Forum Scoring Rubric
This Week's Learning Resources
Reading:
Course Text
The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Chapter 5 Tips for Course Beginnings
Assessing Learners Online: Chapter 13 Interaction and Collaboration Online
Media:
Video: Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (n.d.). Assessing interaction and collaboration in online environments [Web]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_1971563_1&url=
References
Boettcher, J., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Oosterhof, A., Conrad, R., & Ely, D. (2008). Assessing learners online. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education Inc.
Many of the courses I have taken at Walden University have lively discussion threads. One of my most memorable discussion threads had a variety of students responding to one another within one person’s discussion post. Students shared ideas and resources. Many different perspectives to the discussion prompt were shared. The course itself had a collaborative atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteThe instructor of the course focused on community building at the start of the class. This established a safe atmosphere for people to respond to one another. The course emphasized learner-to-learn interaction, learner interacting with the content of the course, and learner interacting with the instructor (Oosterhof, Conrad, & Ely, 2008). In any discussion post, students need to take an active role in motivating other students to respond to them (Kimball & Jazzar, 2011). Furthermore, when students respond to one another, they do need to take an active role to promote more dialogue (Kimball & Jazzar, 2011). The interaction between the content, instructor and other students fosters a community of inquiry.
Reference:
Kimball, D. & Jazzar, M. (2011, January 19). Enhancing learning through vibrant online discussions. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/asynchronous-learning-and-trends/enhancing-learning-through-vibrant-online-discussions/?c=FF&t=F110119
Hi Jenny,
DeleteGreat job hitting all of the points in the discussion prompt. I would agree that students motivating each other is critical in the success of the discussion board. A learning community works best if all members (learners and instructors) are accountable for its success (Conrad, & Donaldson, 2011).
References
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction. San: Jossey-Bass.
Throughout my courses at Walden over the past two years, I've participated in a discussion forum every week. Some of the forums have been great, while others lacked some enthusiasm. In the discussion forums that were very lively, were very closely monitored by an instructor. The best part is that the instructor didn't comment on every single post, every week. They selected a few to respond, and always built on the initial post. This allowed for students' to interact with one another without feeling pressure from the instructor. "The teacher as the facilitator provides opportunities for collaborative work and problem solving, while offering students authentic learning task" (eTools for Education, 2012).
ReplyDeleteOf course through Walden, we are evaluated based on one rubric that transfers from course to course. I don't feel that the rubric provided is detailed enough for learners such as myself. However, I've made the best of my experience so far, and will continue to use the same rubric within my final course at Walden.
References:
eTools for Education. (2012). Collaborative learning. Retrieved from http://www.online-distance-learning-education.com/collaborative-learning.html
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Nicole,
DeleteI agree with what you are saying about the interaction of the instructor. Palloff, & Pratt, (n.d.) do mention the importance of allowing students to interact with one another more so than interacting with the instructor, however when the discussion lags, it may be important for an instructor to re-ignite a discussion thread.
References
Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (n.d.). Assessing interaction and collaboration in online environments [Web]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_1971563_1&url=
The weekly discussion forums during my Walden experience have been interesting, but I feel that their main usefulness was to me as an individual learner reading the content, processing it and rewriting my thoughts. I can't really say that the conversations have felt all that important or have made me think about things in a new way.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that when instructors have joined in more frequently that the discussions seemed to move along and in more interesting directions, but I don't think we can say that that is contributing to the learner-learner engagement.
Lydia
Hi Lydia,
DeleteI think this is a really good point you make. I would agree that in terms of creativity and debate, the discussion posts often leave something to be desired. With that said, I do find value in them as a learning tool especially in terms of the extended resources that are often provided by peers.