Every learning management system, such as Blackboard or Sakai, has a discussion forum. However, not every instructor takes full advantage of this dynamic resource. Discussion forums are an opportunity to extend classroom discussion and an effective way to encourage students to participate in a more dynamic way than they can in the classroom. Consider your course discussion forum as a blank slate with endless possibilities to create an interactive and engaging learning environment for students. The discussion forum, when used well, can create rich content discussions in an online format that are similar to face to face conversations.

One key to a successful discussion forum is clear guidelines for posting etiquette. It is not enough to simply ask students to post their comments to the forum – provide them with specific guidelines for how many posts, and even consider providing them with specific questions or concepts you would like addressed in their posts.  You should also plan to randomly select postings and comment on them. It will demonstrate the format and style you desire, and it will show the students that you are paying attention to the posts. Any discussion forum activity needs to be attached as part of the final course grade. Even if it is a percentage of their participation grade, make sure there is a graded component to the postings in the discussion forum.

In the discussion forum, there is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of a course concept.  For instance, you could ask the students to post videos from YouTube or other websites that relate to a specific topic and share their comments. Don’t limit yourself to simply asking students to post a video – create a rubric which outlines how they are to respond in their own post as well as in comments on other postings.

For instructors teaching traditional face-to-face course, there is a good chance that you will not have the technology, or the time, to go through student presentations. The discussion forum provides a great opportunity to extend the classroom and move some components online. Instead of requiring students to create a PowerPoint presentation that they would require a projector and computer to present in the classroom, students could create short videos and post them to the discussion forum. This would allow the students to show more creativity and not be limited by the time or technology constraints of a traditional classroom. It will also present an opportunity for you to have a video to provide constructive and critical feedback for students as well as allow peer feedback.

The discussion forum is available for all to use – and many are not taking full advantage of its potential. If you are able to successfully develop activities for the discussion forum, your students will appreciate the exercise, and you will notice more informed and engaged students.