Discussion Forum Best Practices

Keep forums turned on:

Forums should remain in “show” mode throughout the course which allows the online learner the flexibility to manage their schedule and workload accordingly. However, while students may upload their initial post in advance of a given week, you should make it clear that their responses to peers, peers replies to them, and any instructor feedback on such posts will occur only within that forum’s assigned week.

Be mindful of posting requirements:

Each IU discussion forum includes the notation, “Students should reply in accordance with the Discussion Board Policy located under Academic Resources in the Student Hub.” Faculty should be familiar with the policy and regularly direct students to the policy if they have any questions or should they deviate from the recommended best practices.

Maintain posting timelines:

Initial posts are due on Day 4 of a given week with a minimum of two (2) peer replies by Day 7 of the same. The two deadlines encourage real exchange of ideas among students by allowing time for all to both venture an initial reply (by Day 4) and then provide a reasonable time period for peers to read and respond to each other’s’ posts before week’s end. This is standard policy for all IU online courses.

Discussions end once Day 7 ends:

Discussion Forums close weekly on Day 7 of the course without exception. Posts beyond this date would not be part of the class conversation. Students who miss the discussion windows miss that part of the class (in much the same way as a student who missed an in-class meeting being unable participate in the missed class’s discussions at another time). Therefore, students may only participate in a given week’s forums as directed within that calendar week.

Follow discussion rubric:

Faculty should refer to the Discussion Forum Rubrics published in both the Faculty and Student Hubs for a breakdown of the criteria and standards for the grading of all IU online discussion forum posts.

• • Initial posts are worth a total of 10 points and peer responses a total of 5 points each

  • Therefore, the maximum achievable final grade for each forum is 20 points.

Set students up for success:

Set the tone for expectations for discussions, especially during week one of the course. In other words, facilitators should hold students to the highest standards when grading using the Rubric.

Ask Open-Ended Questions:

Guide the forum conversation by asking Open-Ended questions and promote conversation that enriches and advances the conversation.

Address “absent” students quickly:

Using email or Moodle, actively contact students who do not participate in the discussions. Message them to prompt re-engagement and reinforce the Discussion Board Policy.

Turnitin:

Faculty are encouraged to utilize the Moodle Integrated Turnitin Feature for course discussion forums and assignments to promote student originality. Turnitin is an internet-based tool that assists students in the use of proper research and citation methods. Immaculata University subscribes to Turnitin to promote original thinking, to improve writing, and to teach students the importance of accountability when using outside sources. Turnitin is now integrated with Moodle, and it can be used directly through the IU Moodle site without the instructor or student having to log into Turnitin.com.

Netiquette:

Encourage appropriate online behavior and student interaction in online discussions. When preparing to facilitate online discussions, faculty should read and consider the information provided in the article "Are you Teaching Good Netiquette".

Reminder:

Effective 10/1/2019 Faculty should use the "Forum" option when adding an activity within a course. The "Open Forum" option is no longer supported by our host provider.