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Item: |
How to accomplish this: |
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Decide how you will use the discussion
board when creating your course. |
Will you use the board for assignments? (Example:
Search the web for three informative sights on Math Anxiety and post them
under the "Math Anxiety" topic on the Discussion Board.
Or
Group Learning: You can break the students into groups to do a tandem
story. One student will write the first paragraph of a short story. The
partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the
story. The first person will then add a third paragraph, and so on back and
forth trying hard to make it coherent. The story is over when both agree a
conclusion has been reached.
And / Or
Will you use it as an open lounge?
(Example: Discuss why you think reality TV shows are so popular under
the "Reality TV Shows" topic on the discussion board"
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Establish the "requirements" of the
discussion board tool from the start of the class. |
During student orientation, let the students know how the
discussion board will be used.
- Will you use it for assignments?
- Are they required to respond to other students posts?
- Point out that proper "Netiquette" is required for the
board
- Should students ask questions on the Discussion Board
or email them directly to you?
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Manage your class discussion board |
If you are going to use it, make sure you are being a good
facilitator. Participating in the discussion board yourself will promote
student input. (Example: if you notice that students are not replying
to discussion posts, you can respond yourself and ask others to put in their
answers. "That's a good question. Does anyone have an answer?"
Watch out for postings that have too much "emotion".
If you think it is not appropriate, you have the power to remove it.
Disagree in a nice way. If a student posts a
negative comment or if you disagree with a student (which there is nothing
wrong with), post your replies with a positive spin. this will may even help
stimulate exciting discussions. (Example: "I respect your opinion but..." or
"You make a good point but have you looked at it like this" |
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Displaying emotions with emoticons |
| :) |
smile |
| :( |
sad |
| ;-) |
wink |
| :-D |
big smile |
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Acronyms |
| LOL |
Laugh Out Loud |
| BFN |
Bye For Now |
| TT2T |
Too Tired to Talk |
| ? 4 U |
Question for You |
| U2 |
You too |
| There are
hundreds of these things! |
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