This document discusses online forums, including their definition, history, structure, characteristics, benefits, and educational uses. An online forum is defined as a message board or discussion group where people can hold conversations through posted messages. Forums originated from bulletin board systems and are structured with subforums and threads of posted messages. They aim to establish open environments for learner-centered discussion and encourage feedback, sharing, and knowledge building among participants. Benefits include intellectual and social engagement as well as keeping up with current events. Teachers can create educational forums for students to participate in discussions, even when not in class.

1. ONLINE FORUM
By: Chithra T S
Natural Science
KUCTE , Adoor

2. DEFINITION
Online forum is a message board, online
discussion group , bulletin board or web
form (Sheri Cyprus, 2010).
Online discussion site where people can
hold conversations in the form of posted
message.

3. HISTORY
Modern forum originated from bulletin
board
First bulletin board system was developed
by Ward christensen and Randy senss

4. STRUCTURE
A forum have many sub forum.
The topic is called “thread”.
User submitted message is called “posts”
Moderators (Mod) are supervisors on a
forum, can access all threads and maintain
the forum.

5. CHARACTERISTICS
Establish a friendly, open environment
Use authentic task and topics.
Emphasize learner centered instructions.
Encourage students to give constructive
feed back and suggestions.
Let students experience, reflect and share
the benefit of using threaded discussions.
According to, Qing Li;

6. ………………
Encourage dialogue and referencing of
other students postings.
Use humor for motivation
Use emotions to help convey ideas and
feelings
Be sure that instructors facilitate
collaboration and knowledge building.

7. BENEFITS
Intellectual change
Enjoying community membership
Making new friends and contacts
Keeping up with current events.
Learning about new opportunities
Learning new ideas and refining old ones.

8. EDUCATIONAL USE
Teacher can create a forum and student
will participate.
Student can see previous post.
Shy students can share their views freely.
Students can communicate with teacher in
their leave , vacation period.
Teacher all over the world can create a
forum
Third party view is possible from other side
of the world.
People from distant can discuss variety of
aspects can be reflected.

9. REFERENCE
Sharma.R.A(2005).Technological
Foundations of Education.R.Lal.Book
report.Meerut.
“Post countinformation”.TechnoFeyed.com.
Retrieved 2009-11.
1.
2.

10. THANK YOU…