Now What am I Supposed to be Doing With These Discussion Posts??????

I ran across the article below by Dr. Allen Meyer  in the August 2012 issue of Online Classroom.  It really sums up excellently what online educators should be doing in their discussions.  So many times, only feedback on posts are provided without introducing the information and expectations, helping students develop their ideas and thoughts based on the facts, and then finally bringing it alllllllll together.   Very well done!

Tips From the Pros: Three Essential Instructor Inputs in Discussion Boards

When used effectively, online discussions can provide a space for students to dig deep, apply concepts, challenge thinking, probe foundational concepts, synthesize ideas, consider alternatives, and debate points of view. To accomplish this, instructors need to provide structure and support in the form of three essential faculty “inputs”:

• Provide a primer post. A primer post allows you to set the agenda for what happens in the discussion board. If you want students to really probe at the graduate level, you’ll need to guide them at the beginning of the discussion week. Rephrase the discussion question if you have to. Emphasize critical elements you look for in student responses. Highlight difficult parts of the discussion question. Require integration of class concepts (from the text reading and online lectures). De-emphasize recitation of facts.
• Provide a mid-discussion correction. As the discussion progresses, do a quick read and observe what is being emphasized or omitted. Briefly reiterate some of the legitimate points made, and then suggest alternate ideas that should be introduced into the rest of the discussion. To move students beyond recitation of facts, ask a series of probing questions and require all students to respond to at least one of the questions. Make that a part of the grading.
  
• Provide a summary post. At the end of the discussion week, pull together examples of great student posts, identify themes in the discussion, and highlight truly exemplary ideas and well-reasoned points of view. Post the summary, and require students to respond to at least one point as part of their next discussion board.

Meyer, A. (2012, August 1). Tips from the Pros: Three Essential Instructor Inputs in Discussion Boards. Online Classroom, 12, 1.