Using The Discussion Board: Making Life Easier for the Professor Strategies to increase student participation Tips to mark discussion posts Prepared by Dawn McBride, PhD (Educational Psychology) Ass’t Professor at Zayed University, United Arab Emirates

Moving from “talk & chalk” (passive learning) By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

To multimedia teaching methods (active learning) To multimedia teaching methods (active learning) By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Info to share with students & faculty new to Bb: What are Discussion Boards? MANY ADVANTAGES! By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Discussion Groups WHY? 1. Self – Directive a) promotes collaborative learning b) encourages active learning / taking responsibility for learning By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Discussion Groups WHY? 2. Allows “processing time”: a) “digest” material b) organize thoughts c) critical thought & application By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Discussion Groups WHY? 3. Increases organization a) permanent record b) organized by themes (threads) By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Discussion Groups WHY? 4.Monitor student progress & provide/receive feedback BONUS: End of term teaching evaluations By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Five strategies to increase discussion forum participation By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Strategies to increase discussion forum participation #1.Teach & review: How to use Bb discussion forums  in-class demonstrations  e-tivities (Churchill, T. / Uni. of Leicester)  introductions… build a learning community  Bb homework on day 1 & 3  class activity: Evaluate +/- past Bb postings By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

WWW Resources (these links are on your handout) 1. A handout for students on how to use Bb 2. A easy to read handout on how to use & manage the Bb discussion forum 3. Bb Discussion Board sheets - computer screen pictures 4. Bb manual By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Strategies to increase discussion forum participation… #2.Constantly use Bb  post all course handouts in Bb  use announcement forum & offer incentives for checking it  post exam mean score before returning the exams in class  answer logistical questions in a Q & A forum By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Dawn’s Q & A FORUM Q & A: Ask your questions here :) This is a forum for you to ask questions about the course; course assignments; careers; etc. I will check this board 3x a week and when the traffic to the forum increases, I will check it every day. Feel free to ask any questions you want. You can post your questions anonymously (no names). Peace, Dawn By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

TIP – Bb use Be very active in the beginning:  providing reinforcement vs. “stealing” the show  check’in with the low “posters”  “show your face” 2x a day & then gradually shift to 2x a wk By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Strategies to increase discussion forum participation… #3. Use Incentives  post anonymously for sensitive issues  points toward a grade  use bonus points & prizes  exchange a class By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

#3. Use Incentives …continued  use Bb stats:  Game  Posting frequency  exam questions drawn from Bb forums  create “coffee” or “water cooler” social forum  Other ideas ???? By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Strategies to increase discussion forum participation… #4. Use Bb in assignments  Bb student of the week (see handout)  follow up after student presentations (see handout )  summarize & evaluate postings (see handout )  use effective questions (see handout )  assign roles (e.g., “conversa-color”, see Persell)  Others? By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Strategies to increase discussion forum participation. #5. KISS principle for marking & replying to postings  keep postings short (e.g., words)  spelling/grammar - include?  mark everyday vs. at the end  set easy to manage criteria for posting By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

TIPS FOR MARKING FORUM POSTINGS #1.Facilitate – don’t take over! #2.Decide what and when to mark #3. Elicit opinions and personal experiences – easier to mark #4. Score reflects average #5. Use simple rubrics By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Need help?  IT staff & IT mentors  WWW search  List Server discussions: KBRD-L.html  PD conferences  Books: A great book for professors: Collison, G. et al. (2000). Facilitating online learning. Madison, WI: Atwood. By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

Journals - FYI Journals - FYI Percell, C., (2004). Focused online discussions, moments of difficulty & student understanding. Social Science Computer Review, 22(2), Publish your IT/Bb teaching ideas!!! Publish your IT/Bb teaching ideas!!! - Review of Educational Research - Journal of Higher Education - Journal on Excellence in College Teaching By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004

THANK YOU Your feedback, comments & questions are always welcome Contact Information: * Current: * Permanent: By Dawn McBride, Oct 28, 2004