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Blended & Online Learning Design Fellows

Blended & Online Learning Design Fellows

Coursera: Discussion forum

Coursera allows for a variety of forum and sub-forum options to support asynchronous peer-to-peer discussions. This assessment and activity option allows for students to respond to specific questions and collaborate to problem solve.

 

Discussions can serve a range of purposes, such as:

  • An online meeting place for social interaction among peers.
  • An online space for collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
  • A medium to pose questions about homework assignments, readings, and course content.
  • A way for students to demonstrate the understanding or application of course material.

 

Pros

  • It helps to build a sense of community online for students. With the discussion board tool, course members can replicate the robust discussions that take place in the traditional classroom.
  • Resource and time saver. Students can ask one another questions about the content and assignments, thus saving time for the instructor.

Cons

  • Need monitoring. In order for discussion boards to be positive assessments, it is important that early on the instructor defines participation requirements, crafts effective questions, encourages new ideas, and moderates the discussion board.

 

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Discussion forum creation (scroll down)

Forum moderation

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Coursera communication best practices