The discussion forum is the heart of online training because learners from different locations can easily interact and learn from each other. Furthermore, discussion forums create collaborative learning that adds more uniqueness to your eLearning course. It is even easier nowadays for eLearning professionals to create discussion forums through a Learning Management System (LMS). In this article, we will discuss why the discussion forum is a vital feature of eLearning training.
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A discussion forum is a platform where learners can give their thoughts about a topic. However, another learner can add feedback to another learner's reply in the discussion forum. Peer-to-peer review enables discussion between learners and allows them to learn from each other, so learners do not need to wait for the instructor because other learners are eager to give constructive feedback.
The peer-to-peer forum also motivates learners to do more, especially when an individual realizes they are far behind the rest in the course. For example, if the learner finds out that they have little or no knowledge about the topics discussed in the forum. The individual will try to meet up with the rest in the discussion forum.
Discussion forums are a good way to improve learners and their work quality. Ideas shared among learners are used to improve their work. Furthermore, many times, individuals share their work with the instructors and other learners in the discussion forum. When they do this, they put in their best to create quality work they are proud of. Hence, the learner reviews for errors before posting such paperwork.
In a discussion forum, a tutor or other learners can throw questions to a learner. The learner prepares very well to be able to participate fully. For example, if the learner has not prepared beforehand, it will be difficult to answer questions during the discussion. Hence, they put in their best to learn all relevant material before contributing to the discussion forum. However, if a learner fails to answer questions in the discussion group, it will motivate the learner to prepare better for the next round.
One of the beauties of the discussion forum is that it brings learners from around the world together. People can come together to partake in role-playing irrespective of their location. Role-playing is considered a great team activity where everybody participates to accomplish a common goal.
The discussion forum allows instructors to see things from the learner's perspective. More so, learners can also see the eLearning course and learning from other's perspectives and help them to grow together. Because of location, gender, age group, or upbringing, learners can have different opinions about a topic. Their ideologies are shared in the discussion forum and this could be helpful for other learners. Furthermore, when learners interact, they can learn about other people's cultures and beliefs. For example, teenage learners can learn from the experience or opinion of adult learners about life. Meanwhile, a teenage learner's opinion about technology can be a great help for adult learners.
Discussion forums create a fun-filled learning environment. Learners challenge other learners in quizzes or games in the discussion forum. Games and quizzes encourage the participant to challenge others and get to the top of the leaderboard. The fun-filled activity can lead to an improvement in learners' knowledge retention and engagement. Some learners may play games for fun but the majority are motivated to play and win, giving them a feeling of success.
The discussion forum is a vital tool for eLearning professionals to discover the latest trends in learning between learners. Professionals access learners' knowledge through the discussion forum and use it to improve the quality of content. Furthermore, professionals can discover a new course for the Learning and Development of learners. New methods and approaches are also discovered and implemented in future courses.
A discussion forum is a fun-filled tool that can be added to eLearning courses. However, the topics must be connected to eLearning course objectives if they are to motivate, impact, and engage learners.
Originally published on April 11,Online discussion forums can enhance student learning in several ways. First, they can foster a sense of community and engagement among students who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected from their peers and instructors. By participating in online discussions, students can build relationships, exchange perspectives, and support each other. Second, they can promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging in online discussions, students can challenge their own assumptions, explore different viewpoints, and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. Third, they can enhance communication and writing skills. By expressing their ideas and opinions in online discussions, students can practice their academic language, vocabulary, and grammar, as well as their ability to articulate and justify their arguments.
We have found with our research that these environments increases engagement and buy in in learning with adults when the topics are grounded in meaningful topics. It gives adults, who have experience, the opportunity to share their knowledge with those who are new. The surgeon general discuses who 1 in 4 adults are feeling lonely. There is no reason businesses shouldn’t incorporate learner to learner connections to bring adults together.
Online discussion forums can help a student to feel more comfortable learning remotely, especially if this is their first online class. In addition to using online forums for peer review of rough drafts, I use them for building relationships among classmates. Having students post photos of their children, pets, or treasured item helps them to get better acquainted with each other. This leads to increased retention rates in online classes.
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Discussion boards, as we know, are meant to facilitate discussions similar to what would exist in a classroom, but this time it just so happens to be online. An under-rated aspect of this approach is that it allows students who aren’t as comfortable speaking up in class to still contribute, and to have their points considered by their classmates. It also minimizes, let’s call it the ‘monopolization’ of class discussion by 2-3 overeager students. It’s a fantastic tool for ensuring ALL students get the opportunity to share and get feedback from their peers.
Online discussion forums can be a valuable resource for students, providing them with a platform for collaboration, overcoming challenges, staying up-to-date, networking, and exploring different perspectives. By engaging in these forums, students can enhance their learning experience, improve their critical thinking skills, and build a network of support so that once they complete their education they have an opportunity to work with the people they have engaged with via these forums.
Online discussion forums also pose some challenges for student learning. One of the main challenges is ensuring the quality and relevance of the online discussions. Sometimes, online discussions can become superficial, off-topic, or repetitive, which can reduce their value and interest for students. Another challenge is ensuring the participation and feedback of all students. Some students may be reluctant or unable to participate in online discussions due to factors such as lack of time, motivation, confidence, or technical skills. Moreover, some students may not receive adequate or timely feedback from their instructors or peers, which can affect their learning outcomes and satisfaction.
To maximize the benefits of online discussion forums and overcome challenges, students and instructors should take certain measures. Students should read instructions and guidelines for the purpose, objectives, expectations, and assessment criteria. They should be respectful, constructive, and supportive of other participants, while avoiding personal attacks or inappropriate language. Additionally, they should be active, consistent, and timely in their participation, contributing at least once a week. Their posts should be relevant, meaningful, and original; while also being reflective, critical, and analytical with evidence to support their claims or questions. Finally, they should be responsive, interactive, and collaborative in their posts by responding to others' posts and providing feedback.
Instructors should design and plan the online discussions carefully to align with learning outcomes. They should provide clear instructions and guidelines for students before the course starts. They should facilitate and moderate the online discussions effectively by monitoring quality and quantity of posts as well as student participation and feedback. Furthermore, instructors should provide timely feedback to students while acknowledging their contributions. Lastly, they should evaluate the online discussions fairly using rubrics or criteria to measure student performance.
My biggest tip would be to stay in your lane - don't get distracted by someone else's opinion . Add to the discussion of course - but don't let their worries or advice take you off track from your exam preparation (for my Strategic Case Study students)
The design of the discussion task is also really important, as it needs to be meaningful, engaging, and aligned with the course objectives. Discussions should also offer opportunities for formative feedback as part of the task design, with clear guidelines and expectations for how students should give and receive feedback. This way, online discussions can become more than just a way of sharing opinions or information, but a way of enhancing student learning and performance.
Absolutely! Providing feedback to the students is essential. I also strongly encourage instructors to actively participate in the discussion forum themselves as well. If your school or college allows it, also include an ungraded discussion forum to post family pictures, pet pictures, and other materials that help students connect with each other. Online learning sometimes feels anonymous and impersonal, but it doesn't have to be that way.
From my experience, it is a good idea to make these discussions authentic. Because I teach teachers, I ask them to pose questions/problems they encounter in teaching and then help each other in solving these issues. In such discussions, students are much more engaged.
A good trick for livening up a discussion forum in a university course: During the attendance phase, good questions will pop up - regardless of whether they come from the students or the lecturer. Simply ask a student to post the question directly in the forum. Answer the question immediately verbally in the course. Then, ask another student to answer the new forum post in own words. This is a good way of ensuring learning outcomes. It also allows you to link the synchronous and asynchronous learning phases. The calculation for this method is simple: two questions per course session result in a forum with over 20 meaningful contributions per semester - an added value for the students, and you didn't have to write one single post.
There is a fine balance needed between discussions. The posts must be a value added exercise, and not proforma. It is critical for faculty and students to see value in work done, not a compliance exercise. Most students do not have luxury or privilege of spending 40 hours plus on school, because they need to work due to systems destruction of the previous higher ed paradigm. In s a summer job could pay for higher ed for a year. That is no longer available.
From an assessment perspective, I find discussion posts to be potentially rich in providing an alternative form of evidence regarding students' understand of key elements in the coursework. In a course that may already include more rigorous assignments, discussion posts can serve as amazing touchpoints. "What's an example of ____ that you heard about recently?" Brief, simple, accessible.
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