Interactions

Conversations & Community in Alternative Discussion Boards

Originally, we wanted to title this page, "Anything but Discussion Boards Please!" But our kinder, gentler selves thought it best to focus this discussion back on the student - rather than the tools. To this end, we are reminded of Sherry Turkle's assertion that "...the most powerful learning takes place in relationships" (2015, p. 231).

When they first came on the scene, traditional discussion boards were wonderful tools for engaging in classroom discussions when the classroom was online. However, the linearity of conversation that flows inside these tools makes for impersonal, unauthentic conversations. The sequential flow can also inhibit spontaneity or impede the opportunity for a teachable moment. Additionally, the problem is that they can become unwieldy and impossible to follow along the many conversation threads. They also can be difficult to manage who has responded to whom and who still needs to respond. And for students, they can be laborious especially when they are laden with (perhaps arbitrary) requirements such as the number of posts one must make to other's posts.

Image source: My Hub, 2017

Quality is better than Quantity

Now we know that it is more important to focus on the quality of student posts rather than on the quantity of their posts. But even more importantly, we need to focus on finding ways to build conversations and community so that students can feel a sense of trust among their classmates, opening the willingness to share and converse in a virtual space.

Today, there a numerous online tools and apps that can be used in place of traditional online discussion boards. Here, we hope to offer some alternative online tools and apps that can effectively replace the discussion board tools of yesterday as well as some tips for creating more engaging online discussions.

Asynchronous Discussion Tools

These tools can be effective to use when students have a period of time to respond to a particular question/set of questions. Each of these tools we list below can accommodate responses from multiple people. We chose these tools because they are easy to use, visually appealing, and students can log in without having to go through a learning management system (like BlackBoard):

Padlet

Virtual bulletin board, free, people can post thoughts, videos, images, links and reply to "posts" (like sticky notes), users must be invited to a Padlet view email

Practice Padlet: https://padlet.com/haslerwaters/v937sfma8ezd

Popplet

Brainstorming and virtual bulletin board, free, people can share ideas, brainstorm and offer feedback to one another

Today's Meet

Back channel for chats, free, easy to use, simple tool with ability to download transcript

Practice Today's Meet: https://todaysmeet.com/WorkshopPractice

VoiceThread

Interactive discussion space, free, allows audio, video, text, images, documents to be displayed, shared and discussed as a community

Practice Link: https://voicethread.com/share/9435279/

Example Popplet

Synchronous Discussion Tools

The tools we chose for synchronous discussions can be used when students need to converse with each other at the same time. We chose these particular tools because they are easy to use and students can log in without having to go through a learning management system (like BlackBoard):

FlipGrid

Video discussion tool, free but limited tools (upgrade available), mulit-platform

Practice Link: https://flipgrid.com/445f9a

Google Hangout

Online video chat tool, free, also supports text, hosts up to 10 people in a video chat, multi-platform, also enables screen sharing and text messaging

Beyond the Tools: It's the Questions

Even though there are some excellent tools out there to use for online discussions - questions and content matter most when it comes to keeping students engaged. That is why asking engaging questions can help connect students and encourage them to share their voices.

"Why" questions tend to encourage more reflective and engaging thinking than do "What" questions.

Encouraging students to reflect is one way to help them make connections between their own experiences and the content.

We probably can all agree that this example is how NOT to ask engaging questions:

Tips for Creating Conversation & Community in Online Discussions

While each class discussion is unique, we offer a few tips for creating more meaningful opportunities for students to engage in them.

1. First Build Trust

It must be said that much of what makes for an enriching face-to-face discussion has to do with the relationships that exist between the communicators. So naturally, the same is true for online discussions. Find ways to give students a chance to build rapport with each other before they dive into deeper knowledge-sharing and knowledge-building discussions. When they have trust with each other, and you, they will be more likely to open up as well as to offer each other support by way of communicating. You can do this with ice breakers or get-to-know you activities. Here are a few example exercises you can do:

Personal Introductions - ask each student to introduce themselves on the discussion board at the beginning of the term. Respond to each student & encourage the class to respond to one another’s introductions.
Portrait - students create a portrait of themselves in any medium, digitize the portrait and share it on the discussion board.
Interviews - have pairs of students interview each other on a given topic and post the interview results in the discussion board.
Ice Breaker - choose a simple ice breaker activity to help students build community. These are usually done at the beginning of the course, but they are also good to do before a team project or when you sense the community needs a boost! (See below "Your Turn to Practice" for a This or That ice breaker activity).

2. Establish (a few) Protocols

Be kind! That's the first order of business
Establish up front due dates/times
Delineate the purpose for the conversations
Describe how discussions will be assessed - Quality is more important than quantity!

3. Create Interesting Activities

http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/otai/index.asp

4. Ask Engaging Questions

5. Make Sure Comments Get Noticed

Front-page News Headline: Students should title their comments with something like a front-page news headline, something that will resonate with their classmates and will also capture the gist of their comments
Comment on their Comments! It is almost more motivating for students to know you're reading and giving them feedback on the comments that they make to others - but do this in a timely fashion.

Resources for Creating Good Online Discussions

Mastering Online Discussion Board Facilitation (Edutopia)

Online Teaching Activities (University of Illinois)

Generating and Facilitating Engaging Online Discussions (University of Oregon)

Your Turn to Practice

Now, we'll take a moment to practice a simple ice breaker activity called "This or That," and we'll use Flip Grid (Plan B will be to use Padlet):

Please click on this LINK,

Then, add to the conversation by adding your own video response (Note: You don't have to use the "stickers or drawing, or give your email address at the end - just post):