Session Description
Session Description
Discussion forums can play a central role in online learning. In many online courses, they may become the primary social link between online students and their instructors and fellow students, and because much learning happens during active discussion and debate, they may be a critical tool in the learning environment as well. Yet, for all their potential, most discussion forums are lifeless repositories of minimal and lonely comments with little "discussion" in them at all. The session, through active discussion in the CALMET Moodle discussion forum, seeks to find ways to enliven discussion forums and help them achieve the potential they offer.
Participants will practice strategies for stimulating active forum discussions while discussing and debating the value and uses of online discussion forums. Joni Dunlap will present live about her strategies and experiences using discussion forums during week two (recorded for those who can't make it). Readings will be made available to stimulate discussion.
Participation should require only a few hours per week, at your convenience.
Discussion forums can play a central role in online learning. In many online courses, they may become the primary social link between online students and their instructors and fellow students, and because much learning happens during active discussion and debate, they may be a critical tool in the learning environment as well. Yet, for all their potential, most discussion forums are lifeless repositories of minimal and lonely comments with little "discussion" in them at all. The session, through active discussion in the CALMET Moodle discussion forum, seeks to find ways to enliven discussion forums and help them achieve the potential they offer.
Participants will practice strategies for stimulating active forum discussions while discussing and debating the value and uses of online discussion forums. Joni Dunlap will present live about her strategies and experiences using discussion forums during week two (recorded for those who can't make it). Readings will be made available to stimulate discussion.
Participation should require only a few hours per week, at your convenience.
Last modified: Tuesday, 18 September 2012, 2:38 PM