This document discusses the use of online discussion boards in education from K-12 to college levels. It provides examples of effective discussion board questions and structures for facilitating online discussions. The benefits of discussion boards include increased interaction between students and teachers as well as reflection. Setting guidelines, modeling best practices, and making discussions regular can help discussions be successful. Different types of questions may be used to construct knowledge or elicit experiences.

1. Rob Darrow, Ed.D.
President, Online Learning VISIONS.com
Consultant, BayArea BlendEd Consortium
San Francisco, CA * Feb. 2016
Website: http://robdarrow.wikispaces.com

2. In this session?In this session?
 K-3K-3
 4-74-7
 High SchoolHigh School
 CollegeCollege

3. Starting PointStarting Point
 Post a comment or questionPost a comment or question
about this sessionabout this session
 Starting point:Starting point:
http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 ““Discussion Boards”Discussion Boards”
 Today’s MeetToday’s Meet PostPost

4. Discussion Board 1Discussion Board 1
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 Who do you think was one of
the best Presidents of the U.S.
and why?

5. B.C. Cartoon
Define “Learn”

6. Teaching and Learning
What theWhat the studentstudent isis
doing and where thedoing and where the
student is.student is.
What the teacher is
doing and where the
teacher is.
What and where the
content is.

7. My Belief: Tipping PointMy Belief: Tipping Point
 K-12K-12 Online LearningOnline Learning already therealready there
(close)(close)
 Every school will become aEvery school will become a blendedblended
learning schoollearning school to better personalizeto better personalize
learning for all studentslearning for all students
 Ultimate goalUltimate goal: Personalized learning: Personalized learning
experience for ever student to bestexperience for ever student to best
inform their future college and careerinform their future college and career
choices.choices.

8. The Ultimate SchoolThe Ultimate School
 Provides learning for students inProvides learning for students in
the way they need it, when theythe way they need it, when they
need it:need it:
– Face-to-faceFace-to-face
– Technology EnhancedTechnology Enhanced
– BlendedBlended
– OnlineOnline

9. This is a journey,
not a destination.
It takes time to transform
thinking and teaching.

10. How many of you use onlineHow many of you use online
discussion boards?discussion boards?
 Once a week?Once a week?
 Once every couple ofOnce every couple of
weeks?weeks?
 Once in awhile?Once in awhile?

11. Scaffolding Use ofScaffolding Use of
Discussion BoardsDiscussion Boards
 Weekly classroom newsletterWeekly classroom newsletter
where a variety of studentswhere a variety of students
contributecontribute
 Classroom blog with differentClassroom blog with different
voicesvoices
 Other ideas?Other ideas?

12. Effective DiscussionEffective Discussion
BoardsBoards
 Consider learning outcomes.
 Integrate with course learning outcomes and course
activities.
 Design effective questions or discussion prompts.
 Set deadlines.
 Communicate assignment expectations.
 Use a rubric.
 Model expectations.

13. ResearchResearch
 Increased teacher-studentIncreased teacher-student
interaction and student-studentinteraction and student-student
interactioninteraction
 ==
 positive learning and positivepositive learning and positive
experiences onlineexperiences online

14. Discussion Board 2Discussion Board 2
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 Many books and movies about
Abraham Lincoln suggest he
was the greatest U.S.
president. Why do you agree
or disagree?

15. Passive vs. ActivePassive vs. Active
 ““We have thisWe have this
new tool, let’snew tool, let’s
try it out.”try it out.”
 ““Post what youPost what you
would like to dowould like to do
for P.E. today”for P.E. today”
 ““Share how thisShare how this
concept may beconcept may be
used in a career”used in a career”
 ““Discuss theDiscuss the
conflict in thisconflict in this
story”story”
 ““Why do youWhy do you
believe thisbelieve this
eventevent
happened?”happened?”

16. BenefitsBenefits
 Every student has a voiceEvery student has a voice
 Audience changes
 Encourages students to reflect, to think
critically.
 Allows students to share their individual
experiences.
 Requires more than simply answering a
question – involves follow-up and further
interaction from participants.
 May be public or private
 Important information literacy skills /
how to interact online

17. Discussion Board 3Discussion Board 3
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 Choose one part of the first Bill
of Rights and share an
experience you have observed
or experienced yourself.

18. Types of Discussion BoardTypes of Discussion Board
Posts – It’s all in the question!Posts – It’s all in the question!
 Constructivist Question: How do you think
this topic is addressed?
 Literature-Based: Based on the reading, do
you agree or disagree?
 Experiential: What experiences have you
had that parallel what you learned?
 Post building: Topic posed. Agree /
Disagree?
 Evaluative/Reflective: What was most
important to you? Why?

19. Discussion Board 4Discussion Board 4
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 Online discussion boards
increase connections between
teacher and students.
Do you agree or disagree?

20. Set a StructureSet a Structure
 Initial post by Tuesday at 5pmInitial post by Tuesday at 5pm
 Three responses to other postsThree responses to other posts
by Thursday at 5pmby Thursday at 5pm
 Final reflection by Sunday atFinal reflection by Sunday at
5pm5pm

21. Teacher Lead vs.Teacher Lead vs.
Student LeadStudent Lead
 Teacher modelsTeacher models
 Teacher guidesTeacher guides
 Student lead / TeacherStudent lead / Teacher
participatesparticipates
 Student Lead / TeacherStudent Lead / Teacher
observesobserves

22. What worksWhat works
 Set a structure and guidelinesSet a structure and guidelines
 Define the purposeDefine the purpose
 Model best practicesModel best practices
 Make it regularMake it regular
 Grade it “class participationGrade it “class participation
grade”grade”
 Instructor participatesInstructor participates

23. Discussion Board 5Discussion Board 5
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 What is one of the most
important aspects of online
discussion boards in online
courses?

24. ResourcesResources
 Edmodo (Elementary)Edmodo (Elementary)
 Various (free) online discussionVarious (free) online discussion
boardsboards
 Discussion boards built intoDiscussion boards built into
every course managementevery course management
systemsystem
(e.g. Moodle, Canvas,(e.g. Moodle, Canvas,
Blackboard)Blackboard)

25. Further ReadingFurther Reading
 http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collabhttp://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collab
boards.htmlboards.html
 http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/pdf/10http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/pdf/10
.1.1.pdf.1.1.pdf
 http://jolt.merlot.org/vol7no3/cranneyhttp://jolt.merlot.org/vol7no3/cranney
_0911.pdf_0911.pdf
 http://jolt.merlot.org/vol3no2/akin.htmhttp://jolt.merlot.org/vol3no2/akin.htm

26. Questions?Questions?
Comments?Comments?

27. Whip AroundWhip Around

28. ContactContact
 Rob DarrowRob Darrow
 Rob@onlinelearningvisions.comRob@onlinelearningvisions.com
 http://robdarrow.wikispaces.comhttp://robdarrow.wikispaces.com
 Bay Area BlendEd ConsortiumBay Area BlendEd Consortium
http://www.blendedconsortium.org/http://www.blendedconsortium.org/