As you’ve probably figured out by now, online discussions are not the same as discussions in your face-to-face class. They don’t happen as organically and do require a bit of planning and work to be successful. Below are two guides to help you, and your students, be more successful in this arena.
The Guide to Engaging Instructions in a Face-to-Face and Online Course offers professors tips and strategies to hold deeper discussions and to promote student response.
The Guide to Successful Student-Led Discussion Boards offers students tips on how to create an initial discussion prompt and manage the discussion board, encouraging deeper discussion.
Hopefully these two guides can help you get more out of your students in the discussion tool.
Don’t forget to browse or search the TLT Tutorials site to find even more resources to help you teach!