1. S T A N B R I D G E C O L L E G E
O R I E N T A T I O N T O O N L I N E L E A R N I N G
Week 2: Discussion Forum and
Chatrooms

2. Discussion Forums and Chatrooms
 Discussion Forums and Interactive Chatrooms are
the primary means of public communication
between Instructor and online students.
 Private communication can occur using email or
telephone.

3. The “Ask Your Instructor” Forum
 Direct questions on the subject matter and aspects of
the course itself should be addressed to the
discussion forum called “Ask Your Instructor”.
 The student’s question and the Instructor’s response
can be read by the class.
 More specific questions on the weekly homework or
topic can be posted to the weekly Discussion Forum.

4. Weekly Discussion Forums
 In the weekly Discussion Forum, you will be given
one or more questions.
 You must answer each question and justify your answer.
 Be short, concise, and to the point.
 Eliminate social chatter and stick to the topic.
 Demonstrate critical reasoning when possible.
 If you claim certain facts are true, provide references at the
end of your post.
 You must respond to the posting of one other
student.
 You may agree or disagree, but explain why.

5. The “Heated” Discussion
 Occasionally a “heated” discussion may occur during
the forum.
 This may happen in a controversial topic.
 Participation is definitely encouraged, but always stick
to the rules:
 Answer the question
 Justify your reasoning clearly, using references when necessary.
 Demonstrate critical thinking.
 Avoid emotion
 You are required to respond to one other student.
 Your response must be supported by evidence or logic.

6. Interactive Chatrooms
 Real-time interaction with the Instructor is available
through interactive chat.
 Visit the Instructor in the chatroom (called “Office
Hours”) during the Instructor’s posted office hours.
 You may schedule additional chatroom sessions by
contacting the Instructor.

7. Email
 You are free to email your Instructor at any time.
 If you have specific questions on the course material,
it is recommended that you post to the “Ask Your
Instructor” discussion forum so that other students
can view the Instructor’s answer.

8. Phoning Your Instructor
 You are free to phone your Instructor either at his
office or at an alternate number.
 You may phone the Instructor during posted Office Hours.
 The Instructor will provide you with a contact phone number.
 The Instructor will let you know his/her availability for phone
calls beyond the posted Office Hours.

9. Study Groups
 Study groups among online students are encouraged.
 Study groups may be formed using Discussion
Forums or Online Chatrooms.
 Contact your instructor if help is needed to create a discussion
forum thread or dedicated chatroom.
 Students are free to help each other on homework
assignments, but must not submit assignments
which copied the work of other students.
 Students may not help each other during quizzes or
exams.

10. Summary of Week 2 Topics
•Discussion Forums and Chatrooms are the preferred
means of public Instructor-Student interaction.
•Email is used for private communication.
•Use “Ask Your Instructor” for general questions.
•Weekly Discussion Forums require students to answer
questions and respond to the answers of others.
•Study Groups may be formed using Discussion Forums
or Interactive Chatrooms.