Wyatt Earp and the Online Forum: How do You Sheriff Discussion?
Discussion forums are collaborative activities that foster a sense of community in online learning environments and help refine student abilities in a variety of areas. Online students reflect on learning resources, construct personal meaning, share their ideas, and dialogue with their peers in a safe environment where collaboration can flourish. However, there are times when discussion forums need a sheriff.
When students misuse or disregard the protocol and etiquette of online discussion forums, the learning community suffers. For this week’s discussion offer at least two strategies or practices that an instructor can use when facing students who challenge the protocol and/or etiquette of online discussion forums.
By Wednesday:
Post at least two strategies that you think are “best practice” for dealing with students who fail to follow the protocol and/or etiquette of online discussion forums?
Throughout the Week:
Return to the discussion forum and read through a sampling of your peers’ posts. Make note of ones that make you think and are candidates for leaving a reply that asks a questions, provides feedback, makes a comparison to your post, identifies differences to your post, relate an experience.
By Sunday:
Leave a comment or reply to at least two peers’ posts. Reflect on what you have learned and note any strategies that you can add to your repertoire.
Discussion Forum Rubric
To access the discussion rubric click on the hyperlink: Discussion Rubric
