This document discusses the differences between summarizing and weaving in online discussions. Summarizing signals the end of a discussion by providing an integrated view of what has been said. Weaving is used to connect themes, revive discussion, and encourage reflection on issues. Both organizing tools identify essential information and select topics from discussions. When doing summaries or weaves, moderators should carefully review discussions, connect ideas, and consider emerging topics without relying solely on initial questions. Moderators must also be aware of potential risks like discussions ending prematurely or contributions being misinterpreted.

1. Bringing it all together
Summaries or Weaves?

4. Some insights about
Summarizing & Weaving
• You summarise when you feel the discussion’s run out of steam.
Contributions are drying up so you feel that most people have said what
they wanted to say. On the other hand, if you feel the discussion didn’t
address some important learning points you might decide to weave
earlier threads which touched on these and add some more questions .
(Steph)
• A weave would promote further participation, which could be seen as an
advantage or disadvange as it would extend the thread (Paul)
• Go easy with the additional questions you raise, as they may make it
harder to see what was initially intended (Brett).
• Adding participants´names acknowledge contributors and will boost
confidence (Alison). However, it is only fair mentioning names when they
make a good point (Rachida).
• Summaries should cover the main aims of the discussion (Alison).
• Point participants to summaries, as they may hide in a previous week´s
work (Erica)

5. Purposes
Summary Weaving
Usually signals a wrap up to Used to connect themes and steer
the discussion
a discussion
• To regain interest, and • To provide new fresh
draw attention to the starting points after a
number of posts.
issue.
• To revive/promote/refocus
• To provide CPs with an the discussion
integrated view of what • To encourage CPs to
has been said. reflect more on the issues
to be further explored
Both are used to organize ideas, identify the most essential information,
select topics from the discussion, synthetize and connect them with other
concepts

6. How to do it?
• Do not rely on your memory
• Go over the discussion history carefully and take notes,
clarify expressions, identify themes, make connections, index
the material.
• Think about what information should be selected
(considering initial questions); how this would help the reader
see what has been discussed so far; include emerging ideas
that add to a whole view of the topic.
• Connect ideas from CPs with initial questions and
theory/content
• The moderator could choose to quote CPs contributions or
not.
• They can be presented in different ways
• Tip:This can be done copying/pasting the discussion in a
Word document and indexing the material using a coding
(color, numbers, notes)

7. Risks implied
• CPs could become summary-dependant
(Rachida).
• A discussion might be summarised before
everyone has had the chance to contribute (Sue)
• Misinterpreting CPs´contributions (Sue, Rozitah)
• Unforeseen /emerging points might be missed out if
the moderator only considers the initial questions
(Sue) and may lead to an incomplete summary
(Rozitah).
• While additional questions in weaves could
promote further participation, they could also
extend the thread (Paul).

8. When should they be done?
Summary Weave
At the end of a discussion After 6-7 posts, but it
largely depends on
• the dynamics of the
group
• What (and how much)
has been said
• The amount of time
allotted

9. Relevance
• Any participant can take summarizing/weaving roles. These
roles could be assigned or spontaneous.
• The e-moderator can encourage CPs to take on these roles
so take on this challenge and assume ownership of their
learning.
• It might be appropriate for CPs to do it as a way of checking
that they have read the threads and undestood the main
points of what has been said. This could help the moderator
see what input CPs still need (Sue).
• When done, either by the e-moderator or the participant, they
bring new dynamics to the thread, giving the CPs reasons to
join the discussion
• Moderators are consciously weaving and summarizing when
they feel it it necessary to guide and shape the discussion;
but aren't the CPs summarizing and weaving too, maybe on a
more unconscious level? (Fiona)

10. Additional questions added to weaves or summaries can become ’rather like
fabric threads when they become frayed, making it harder to see what was
intended in the tapestry’.
Brett