University of South Alabama Online Learning Lab
Threaded Discussions In Your Web Course
|
|
Objective: Instructional tips on developing threaded
discussions for your course.
|
What are Threaded Discussions?
Threaded discussions are a form of asynchronous communication. These text-based conversations help
learners organize and follow conversations without getting lost in numerous
postings. They also give students a chance to take turn leading and
participating in the conversation.
|
|
|
What Terms are Synonymous with Threaded Discussions?
Depending on the Course Management System (CMS) tools threaded
discussions are also known as:
- Bulleting boards
- Discussions
- Forums
- Threads
|
|
|
How are Threaded Discussions Organized?
The instructor or student creates a topic and in responding to that
topic, subtopics may be created. Subtopics are branches or threads of the
main topic. Generally, the topics are displayed in a summarized hierarchy,
making it possible to organize the discussion.
As participants respond to the message, their responses are sequentially
linked to the original message. Participants can read or respond to any of
the messages in a thread. There can be more than one threaded discussion
topic within a folder.
|
|
|
What are Some Advantages of Threaded Discussions?
Threaded discussions give
participants time to reflect on postings and to prepare their responses.
Learners generally feel that they get to participate in the online
conversations, in contrast to classrooms where a few students can dominate
discussions.
Another advantage of threaded discussions is that learners do not miss
out on any conversations because they're available in the course. Learners
are also motivated to do the readings so that they can participate. They
also attach value to reading other students' responses, thus creating a
community of learners.
|
|
|
What are Some Tips for Leading Threaded Discussions?
- Place one question
in an individual message as opposed to several questions in one
posting. When questions are presented individually, they are easier to
respond to.
- Form groups in the
class and assign different questions for different groups.
- Formulate questions
that can be applied to personal experiences or topic preferences.
- Vary the managing
strategies. For example, participants can post their responses with
reflective questions. Learners could also be requested to respond to
topics according to an assigned role.
- One way to engage
learners it to have them post one or two original responses on the
topics and to post two or three thoughtful replies to other students'
messages.
|
|
|
What are Some Tips for Managing Threaded Discussions?
The instructor can:
- Lead the first discussion in order to
set the tone of discussion for the class.
- Keep the discussion
focused.
- Ensure that all
necessary material is addressed and that the different parts of each
discussion follow a sequence that is conducive to learning a particular
topic.
- Manage discussion
etiquette.
- Avoid dominating the discussion, but keep
it focused.
- All participants an
opportunity to share.
- Allow for students
to disagree and take a position without interfering.
|