Students learn the methods and value of sharing and discussing ideas in an online class.

1. Forum
Why do we do the online forums in Earth and Environmental Science?
https://pixabay.com/images/id-2990

2. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

3. What does a
Forum do for
me?
Forums are a place for sharing ideas with classmates.
Since we don’t see each other, the Forum is a fun way for the class
to discuss topics. It is important that your comments be in-depth.
Only writing “I agree” will not get your any points. You must also
stay on topic and be respectful. Please post early or on time, so
that others may have the chance to respond to your postings.
The Discussion boards are excellent for creating a dialogue
between you and other users. It is less formal than a blog post, and
is similar to the “reply to all function” in an email.

4. Share what
you learned
with the
class.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

5. It is your presentation
to the class.

6. Are the Forums Graded?
• Forum grades count like quiz
grades. Some forums are just
asking for your ideas, and others
require you to create a project
such as a Voki, a Glogster, or a
Prezi.
• You will be learning some new
skills and creating some really
nice things.
• Many modules have a forum,
but not all.

7. Is there a forum
with every
module?
Just a few.

8. First, you respond to the prompt.
• Research to find an answer to the
prompt.
• Put your answer to the prompt on the
forum and be sure that you have
answered each question completely
and in full sentences.
• Read the posts that your classmates
have put on the forum.
• Then respond to two other people’s
post. Use the name of the student to
whom you are responding. You must
use full sentences and tell what it is
that you agree or disagree with and
why.
• Just writing, “I agree”, Good job” or
any other short response will not earn
any points.

9. A Forum is no place for
• One word answers
• Broken sentence fragments
• “Fake news” your facts must be cited and
verifiable. The teacher must see a link to any facts
that you use to support your ideas.
Cartoon used under Creative Commons from BLAUGH.com

10. To quote, or not to quote,
that is the question.
• Sometimes you can just
summarize. Ex: According to
Farmer John Brown, many
cows say moo.
• But if you quote her, you
must give the citation. Bossy
the cow said, “Moo.”
Citation: The Farmer Brown
Diaries. Published in the
Farmer’s Almanac, June 10,
2011

11. Say this, not that.
Good response example.
• Jack, I agree with your ideas for
increasing green energy by placing
more windmills in coastal areas.
Catching the sea breeze means an
almost constant source of power.
Responses that will earn no credit.
• 1. I agree.
• 2. I disagree.
• 3. Your idea is stupid
• 4. And even the better comment
without the person’s name:
• I agree with your ideas for
increasing green energy by placing
more windmills in coastal areas.
Catching the sea breeze means an
almost constant source of power.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed
under CC BY-SA

12. What if it is a project?
• Follow the directions to create
the project, such as a Prezi, a
powerpoint, a Voki, or a glogster.
• These almost always cause files
to be too large to upload.
• No worries. You will post a link
to your project instead of the
whole project.
• How do we post a link to our
projects?
• Imagine that you have created a Voki (a
talking cartoon). So, while you are still on the
site, you Name and Save your work. Then,
you click on the Share feature. A list of ways
to share will come up. Choose the url address
option. Copy that address and paste it onto a
Word Document. Save that word. doc to
your computer by giving it a name. For
example Your Name 5.2 Voki non-renewable
energy resources.
• Go back to the module assignment page
where you got the assignment and upload the
word.doc.
This Photo by Unknown
Author is licensed under CC
BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
This Photo by
Unknown Author is
licensed under CC
BY-SA-NC
This Photo by Unknown
Author is licensed under
CC BY-NC-ND

13. Every Forum is Important