Handling Online Discussions

I have just finished reading: “Imagine: How Creativity Works” by Johan Lehrer http://www.jonahlehrer.com/books/imagine/  In the chapter titled: “The Power of Q” Lehrer discusses the importance of having people come together in a space where constructive criticism can occur in a safe manner. I immediately thought of discussions in an online class. If structured correctly students can work with people they would normally not interact with. 

Fostering discussions that increase learning is the initial responsibility of the teacher. Students should feel safe and feel heard.

 Students can feel safe when the instructor immediately sets the ground rules and models them.

Students can feel heard when a teacher is active in the discussions, but does not dominate them. Not replying to any discussion post makes the students wonder if the teacher is reading. When a teacher replies, students feel heard. One online student commented: “I really like when I see a professor's post under mine, it makes me feel like all the work I am doing is getting noticed.” However, it is a balance. Commenting on every post is overwhelming. I tend to reply to every first post in the discussion and then let the discussion ensue. 

Once the climate is established the teacher then needs to design the discussion questions so they do not have only one answer. If a teacher, for example, asks the students to define something whose definition is in the text, then the first person in the discussion copies the text and the only response is “Yes, I agree.”  Questions should be phrased so that alternate points of view can be expressed, and, especially in mature students, life experiences can play a part. 

The instructor can model responses by using the sandwich approach

• ·         Affirm the poster: “That is an interesting perspective I have not considered.”
• ·         Ask the poster a question or ask for class input: “would you consider….” “Class, what would you think about that?”
• ·         End on a positive note. “Thanks Joe for giving us your perspective.”

Finally, have clear rubrics and grade quickly.