Engagement Strategies for Online Discussions in Brightspace
Originally presented for CAT+FD on 1 September 2022 by Ms. Janice Florent and Dr. Mark Gstohl
“Learning is not a spectator sport. Students do not learn much just by sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers. They must talk about what they are learning, write about it, relate it to past experiences and apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn part of themselves.” (Chickering & Gamson, 1987).
Take advantage of Brightspace's discussion tool to help you facilitate meaningful online discussions and build community in your courses.
This workshop, the eleventh in our #LEX Advanced series, builds on the skills you learned in the #LearnEverywhereXULA course and shows you how Brightspace discussion forums can provide a digital community that connects faculty and students outside of the classroom!
Pre-Workshop Assignment
- Watch this Brief Introduction to Online Discussions video (2 minutes) - to be completed before the workshop.
Workshop Recording
Resources
Slide Deck
Plan and Facilitate Effective Asynchronous Discussions
- Boost Student Engagement by Rethinking Your Online Discussion Board
- The Hidden Power of Discussion Boards
- How to Write Discussion Questions That Actually Spark Discussions
- CREST+ Model: Writing Effective Online Discussion Questions
- Alternative Discussion Structures
- Plan and Facilitate Effective Discussions
- Assessing by Discussion Board
- Generating and Facilitating Engaging and Effective Online Discussions
- Enhancing Student Learning: Seven Principles for Good Practice
- Discussions in Online Courses: Best Practices and Expectations
- Discussion Models, from a Learner’s Perspective
- Tips for Overcoming Online Discussion Board Challenges
- Asynchronous Discussions Online: Challenges and Suggestions
- Provide Feedback Strategically in Online Discussions
- Student Self-Reflection Guide