Summary of Cavanaugh DB articles - 4 views

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  #1 stacey perkins on 19 Sep 14

   

  The most useful information I gleaned from these articles falls into two categories: 1) benefits to students (why teachers should use discussion boards) and 2) teacher tips for success (how teachers should use discussion boards).
  
  First, discussion boards add interaction time between student/teacher as well student/student. DB also allow for every student to have a voice (not just the big personalities in the room ;-) and allows for more think time for students who process slower or who are simply shy. Discussion boards also hone communication skills...24 hours a day. Students are not constrained to any time frame and may contribute as their schedule allows.
  
  To maximize student benefit, instructors should monitor, monitor, monitor DB activity and review netiquette expectations for students. Also, all students should be required to participate; an initial icebreaker activity goes a long way toward encouraging participation. Considering the very public nature of a DB, teachers should refrain from publicly praising or correcting students. Finally, teachers should set clear DB expectations: how many response are required and what is the allowable time frame? What is the purpose of topics student responses?

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The most useful information I gleaned from these articles falls into two categories: 1) benefits to students (why teachers should use discussion boards) and 2) teacher tips for success (how teachers should use discussion boards). <br /> <br /> First, discussion boards add interaction time between student/teacher as well student/student. DB also allow for every student to have a voice (not just the big personalities in the room ;-) and allows for more think time for students who process slower or who are simply shy. Discussion boards also hone communication skills...24 hours a day. Students are not constrained to any time frame and may contribute as their schedule allows. <br /> <br /> To maximize student benefit, instructors should monitor, monitor, monitor DB activity and review netiquette expectations for students. Also, all students should be required to participate; an initial icebreaker activity goes a long way toward encouraging participation. Considering the very public nature of a DB, teachers should refrain from publicly praising or correcting students. Finally, teachers should set clear DB expectations: how many response are required and what is the allowable time frame? What is the purpose of topics student responses?</div>

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  #2 Maricela Gonzalez on 28 Sep 14

   

  I really enjoyed your interactive post over the ins and outs of discussion forums. I currently use Edmodo discussion forums in my 7th grade classroom, and have found them to be a great tool to incorporate after the bell rings. It allows me to communicate with my students and gives me the opportunity to provide them with immediate feedback. As I was scrolling and clicking through the links from your post, I found some interesting points I'd like to speak over. If you do not provide feedback to your students how are they going to get affirmation over their thought process? As teachers our job is to guide our students, and so I think that by being an active online discussion forum teacher- it will better prepare the students for this type of new age technology. When it comes to the downfalls of using discussion forums, I noticed that your link pointed out the lack of visual cues. For example, "students must understand that their words are taken literally, and humor and satire are easily misconstrued (http://drscavanaugh.org/discussion/online/challenges_of_a_discussion_forum.htm )." This makes a lot of sense to me, because we may send an un-intended message, and in turn should be mindful of our written delivery.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I really enjoyed your interactive post over the ins and outs of discussion forums. I currently use Edmodo discussion forums in my 7th grade classroom, and have found them to be a great tool to incorporate after the bell rings. It allows me to communicate with my students and gives me the opportunity to provide them with immediate feedback. As I was scrolling and clicking through the links from your post, I found some interesting points I'd like to speak over. If you do not provide feedback to your students how are they going to get affirmation over their thought process? As teachers our job is to guide our students, and so I think that by being an active online discussion forum teacher- it will better prepare the students for this type of new age technology. When it comes to the downfalls of using discussion forums, I noticed that your link pointed out the lack of visual cues. For example, "students must understand that their words are taken literally, and humor and satire are easily misconstrued (<a href="http://drscavanaugh.org/discussion/online/challenges_of_a_discussion_forum.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://drscavanaugh.org/discussion/online/challenges_of_a_discussion_forum.htm</a> )." This makes a lot of sense to me, because we may send an un-intended message, and in turn should be mindful of our written delivery.</div>

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  #3 Maricela Gonzalez on 28 Sep 14

   

  @Gena Jean- Overall, I think you make a good point. These discussion forums provide students with a multitude of resources that students can get from each other and from the forum itself. I have made discussion forums a requirement in my classroom, and every day I pose an essential question that every student must answer over the lesson of the day. It has really brought us closer as a learning community, and I feel that my students are getting more out of me due to that. Students are learning from each other, as well as from myself and they seem to be getting so excited about the posting process. They even remind me when I have not posted to the forum yet. I am so glad that I am a teacher that lives within the booming age of technology

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">@Gena Jean- Overall, I think you make a good point. These discussion forums provide students with a multitude of resources that students can get from each other and from the forum itself. I have made discussion forums a requirement in my classroom, and every day I pose an essential question that every student must answer over the lesson of the day. It has really brought us closer as a learning community, and I feel that my students are getting more out of me due to that. Students are learning from each other, as well as from myself and they seem to be getting so excited about the posting process. They even remind me when I have not posted to the forum yet. I am so glad that I am a teacher that lives within the booming age of technology</div>

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