Discussion Boards

Rationale: With a discussion board, students can react to various questions and topics directly as well as comment on other student discussions. Topics for discussion should be chosen carefully so that students will have to respond with more than just a few words OR that they can come back to revisit the same topics with "fresh eyes" after reviewing more of the material in class. Something that is very important is to set a precedent ahead of time: students should be respectful of one another's ideas and that all can be monitored and tracked by the teacher/facilitator.

Padlet is a digital wall that allows for a free flow of communication between all participants within a hybrid learning environment. Students at home can collaborate with those in school and visually build on each others' ideas. Even if it's completely quiet on Zoom, the Padlet will light up with responses.

Benefits to using Padlet:

  • No student sign-in necessary, doesn't collect any student information.

  • Student posts can be seen by other students or kept private.

  • Students can reply, like or rate each other's posts.

  • Students can post and respond to each other anonymously (assign numbers so you can identify student, but other students can't)

  • Students can post SO MANY different types of media and materials, which can be created right on a Padlet wall.

      • For example: images, video, audio and webcam recordings, webcam photos, screencasts, drawings, url links, and upload any type of file.

  • Teacher has SO MANY ways to control how students post, helping immensely with digital classroom management.

Drawbacks to using Padlet:

  • The free version only allows you to make three Padlet walls.

  • BUT...the Pro version which gives you UNLIMITED walls only costs $8/month (WAY LESS than you'll spend on coffee in a month).

  • Need to make a separate Padlet wall for each of your classes.

Check out this video tutorial with live participants

Google Classroom Questions are another option for having a classwide discussion. Since it's already integrated with Google Classroom, the ease of asking a simple question and being able to quickly provide feedback and grade the work makes this a simple and effective tool. It's not as flexible Padlet, but does have it's benefits.

Intro Video to Google Classroom

Benefits to using GC Question:

  • Option available when you create assignments in Google Classroom

  • Takes less than a minute to set-up for all of your classes

  • Can be used to make a Do Now or Exit Ticket

  • Can be used to start a classwide discussion, in which students can respond to specific comments made by other students.

  • Grading is simple because it's all in one place

Drawbacks to using GC Question:

  • Students can only post text

  • The platform is not as flexible as Padlet

  • Teacher doesn't much control over how students post & give feedback

  • Students can't post or respond anonymously (which can be a drawback for shy students with strong views)

Other options for discussion boards:

Disclaimer: I have been unable to try Canvas or Moodle because my district does not have them.