Discussion Forum

In an online assignment, we read a selection and wrote a prompt for our peers as if we were the teacher.  We then encouraged deeper thought and discussion and finally wrapped up the conversation.  As the discussion continued, I found myself questioning how to stimulate dialogue to go deeper, since the posts seemed brief and perfunctory. About midway through the experience, I realized that I had posed a prompt that intrigued me as a learner; however, I hadn't considered my "students" personalities at all. While I was struggling with an idea, it was obvious that the others in my group were not.  This made it difficult to create questions and prod meaningful conversations for the group as a whole.  Looking back, I don't regret the prompt: I was at a place in my learning that I needed to work through some ideas, and needed help, and it was a very valuable focus for me as a student.  However, this assignment reminded me that when I am in my teacher role, I need to continually remember that being a teacher means exciting the quest for knowledge in others as well as living that quest in my own life.  

The link to the forum prompt and conversation can be found here.