Online Discussion Groups

1
On-line Discussion Groups

• Cyber literature forums What are the benefits?
• Kari Hoover
• ECI 521
• 2-28-05

2
What are on-line discussion boards?

• You go to a specific location on the Internet
  and post a message consisting of a subject
  title and a message body. When other people read
  it, they can post a message in reply or post a
  different message using a different subject
  heading. Multiple posts referring to one
  particular subject title is called a thread of
  discussion. The series of messages or posts can
  evolve into a very sophisticated, multi-layered,
  even animated conversation, in many respects
  similar to face-to-face conversations. Hence the
  term discussion board. (Sular, 2004)

3
Pros

• Non-conventional learning tool. Students may
  show more enthusiasm and interest towards an
  online discussion.
• Students encourage and learn from each other.
• More motivation toward technology.

4
Cons

• Some students may feel uncomfortable with
  computers, or may not have much experience with
  online communication. (Sular, 2004)
• Not all students will take it seriously.
• If not properly facilitated, the discussion could
  go awry.

5
Techno literate?

• How do we compensate for the lack of access to
  technology?
• For those whose sole access to the Internet is
  at school or the public library, time must be
  made within the day for students to use the
  computers. (Wolsey 2004).

6
How do the discussions foster learning?

• Students engage in the production of knowledge
  about the text rather than simply observing the
  intellectual process or productStudents who
  participate in threaded discussion may benefit
  because the format buys them time to think,
  provides appropriate models, and increases the
  coherence of the discourse. (Wolsey 2004)

7
How do the discussions foster learning? (cont.)

• Enhances communication
• Students share perspectives and ideas
• Students experience a sense of equality among
  each other
• Active learning is engaged
• Physical location is not an issue

8
Teacher as Facilitator

• The N-Geners have grown up accustomed to
  technology, for example instant messaging. How
  do we keep the discussion boards from becoming a
  social chat room?
• What is the teachers role in the discussion
  forum?

9

• you may have to encourage students, draw them
  out, ask questions, set an example - be a good
  facilitator. (Sular, 2004)
• Monitoring of the discussion is a necessity.
• simply setting up a discussion board without
  effectively integrating it into the course, and
  without taking specific steps to generate
  motivation to use it, will most probably
  culminate in a trickle of posts that quickly fade
  to complete silence, (Sular 2004)

10
Can we mix cyber with classroom?

• The instructor may need to make special efforts
  to integrate the online discussions into the
  classroom. (Sular 2004)
• Address any concerns/problems debated within the
  forum.
• Extend topics that need clarification, or that
  sparked the most discussion.

11
References

• Suler, J. (2004). CyberPsychology and Behavior,
  7, 397-403.
• Available
• http//www.enotalone.com/article/3230.html
• Wolsey, T.D. (2004, January/February). Literature
  discussion in cyberspace Young adolescents using
  threaded discussion groups to talk about books.
  Reading Online, 7(4).
• Available http//www.readingonline.org/artic
  les/art_index.asp?HREFwolsey/index.html