Designing Effective Online Discussion

Designing Effective Online Discussions

Bob Loser rloser@nvcc.edu

Kim Monti kmonti@nvcc.edu

Why Online Discussion?

Online discussion is an ideal medium for communities of inquiry – the hallmark of higher education – because it supports both the reflection and collaboration needed for higher-order learning.

Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., Archer, W. (2001). Critical Thinking, Cognitive Presence, and Computer Conferencing in Distance Education. American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7-23.

Session Goals

You will be better able to:

Make the best use of discussions

Engage your students in discussions

Structure discussions for highest quality

1 - Purpose Principle

Use discussion for critical thinking beyond basic course content

– What thinking skills do you want students to develop?

Your Purpose Examples

• What thinking skills do you want students to develop?

Tell us:

1. Your course subject

2. Thinking skills desired

3. An important course topic for which students can use these thinking skills

2 - Engagement Principle

Assign interesting questions or challenging problems that are authentic and universal

– Beckoning questions – Current controversies– Real life problems– Shared desires and concerns

Your Engagement Examples

Beckoning questions Current controversies Real life problems Shared desires and concerns

How can each of your important topics be made engaging?

3 - Structure Principle

Shape the interaction with clear requirements for content and process

– What’s the desired thinking skill?– What’s the best kind of interaction for the goal?– What requirements will produce that interaction?– What facilitation by me will best support that interaction?

Your Structure Examples

What’s the desired thinking skill? What’s the best kind of interaction for the goal? What requirements will produce that interaction? What facilitation by me will best support that interaction?

Tell us:

1. Type of interaction

2. Requirements for initial posts and replies

Summary

Purpose: Use discussion for critical thinking beyond basic course content

Engagement: Assign interesting questions or challenging problems that are authentic and universal

Structure: Shape the interaction with clear requirements for content and process