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The Art of Discussion How to effectively use discussion boards in online learning

The Art of Discussion How to effectively use discussion boards in online learning. June 21, 2007. Jason Jakubowski. Overview. Role of the Discussion Board Developing Good Questions Grading Discussions Common Problems Questions and Comments. Role of the Discussion Board.

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The Art of Discussion How to effectively use discussion boards in online learning

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  1. The Art of DiscussionHow to effectively use discussion boards in online learning June 21, 2007 Jason Jakubowski

  2. Overview • Role of the Discussion Board • Developing Good Questions • Grading Discussions • Common Problems • Questions and Comments

  3. Role of the Discussion Board • Primary source of interaction • Supplement reading and lectures • Practical application of course material

  4. Role of the Discussion Board Frequent Observations: • More students participate • Students are better writers

  5. Developing Good Questions 1) Keep them simple 12.1: Which is Most Important?There are currently 15 Cabinet Departments under the Executive Branch. Which one do you think is the most important? And why?

  6. Developing Good Questions 2) Keep them open-ended 2.2: Big Government vs. Small GovernmentSome people think that we need a bigger government... taxes should be higher so that the government can do more for its people. Other people believe that we need a smaller government... taxes should be lowered and people should take more individual responsibility for their own well-being. What do you think?

  7. Developing Good Questions 3) Ask students to draw upon their own experiences Extra Credit: Your NewsWhere do you get most of your news from? Radio? TV? Newspaper? Magazines? Internet? Be sure to explain.

  8. Developing Good Questions 4) Force students to read the book 8.1: The Electoral CollegeWhat do you think of the Electoral College? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Be sure to explain your reasoning.

  9. Developing Good Questions 5) Open the door for additional research 5.2: Types of Interest Groups Chapter 6 discusses many different interest groups that some see as good and some see as bad. Name one interest group that you perceive as good, and another that you think of as bad. Be sure to explain your reasoning.

  10. Grading Discussions In any online course (and especially in the behavioral sciences) the Discussion Board should be the largest portion of a student’s overall course grade. State & Local Government Discussion = 40% State & Local Papers = 30% Midterm Exam = 15% Final Exam = 15%

  11. Grading Discussions Post a grading rubric in your syllabus Quality = 40% A one sentence question that actually provokes a quality discussion impresses me more than a two paragraph bland answer to a relatively easy question. In fact, the best entries will be those that thoughtfully answer one student’s question while raising others in the process. Accuracy = 20% Your entries should be both factually and grammatically accurate. Taking the initiative to answer a question will improve your grade, but answering a question with the wrong facts will not. By the same token, all messages should be grammatically correct (including spelling). Initiative = 20% Favorable consideration will be given to students who clearly take initiative in their discussion. For example: I will look favorably upon any student who answers another student’s question before I have the opportunity to answer it. Amount = 10% Simply put: the more the better. I don’t expect everyone to post 100 messages a week, but I do expect at least 4 or 5. If you just post one response to each question each week, I consider that “average” and you will probably get a C for the week. Timing = 10% Writing five messages on Monday and then never writing again for the rest of the week isn’t going to cut it. Neither is writing five messages Sunday night in order to catch-up at the last minute. I’m looking for a free-flowing continuous discussion, not one that peaks at the beginning and end of each week.

  12. Grading Discussions • The Potter Stewart Method: • “I know it when I see it”

  13. Grading Discussions • D = only one weak post • C = several weak posts • B = several quality posts • A = frequent quality posts that initiate discussion • A+ = frequent quality posts that initiate discussion and draw-in outside research

  14. Common Problems • Students aren’t posting • Students aren’t posting anything of substance • Students veer off-topic • Students disrespect one another

  15. The Bottom Line More than anything else, the discussion board is the key to every successful online course!

  16. Questions & Comments Jason Jakubowski Director of Business Development 860-832-3902 jjakubowski@charteroak.edu Website: www.charteroak.edu

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