Initiating and Moderating DiscussionsJust as face-to-face discussions need someone to structure moderate and keep the talk on topic so do on-line ones. Many of the same types of skills and techniques apply but certain wrinkles and twists appear when you cant use your tone of voice hand motions or the rap of a gavel to regain decorum when things get hairy.Summary of advice and tips1. Emphasize participation over content early in your use of the discussion forums.This minimizes the students perception of risk in using the forum.2. Create activities that encourage students to use the discussion forums. For example Ask students to introduce themselves giving some personal information. You should lead by introducing yourself in a creative way Have students debate a topic on-line. Assign the pro and con groups in advance. Augment any FAQs Frequently Asked Questions or other information with a Help Conference. Students can post questions and even reply to other student questions.3. Distinguish between informal and formal discussions. You might set up a conference for all students to share more personal information the best theatres pubs etc. so your students can converse and also so your course-oriented conferences dont become cluttered inappropriately.Use conference names that suggest the appropriate use of the forum e.g. The Class Chatter or The Coffee House for the personal forum The Help Place for a forum to discuss problems. Insist on proper grammar and spelling when the student participates in the formal conferences4. Make the conference integral to your course. Make sure you pick up on the on-line discussions and bring issues raised to the physical classroom. This shows the student that the discussions are important to you. In the other direction suggest that unresolved issues continue on the conferences after class. Finally consider marking contributions to the forums as part of the course requirement including a component of the final mark.5. Divide large classes into smaller discussion groups. 6. Invite experts into your discussions to add vitality and new perspectives. 7. Know your objective and your time frame and make it clear to the participants. 8. Set aside time for the discussions for your students and for yourself Consider allocating lab time for accessing the discussions or assigning discussions instead of other homework. That way the students realize that you want them to devote time and energy to it. You and your assistant instructors will also need time and energy to expend on your moderator duties.9. Become a model for and praise examples of the discussion behaviour you seek.A few pitfalls to avoid Never ignore the discussions If you do so will your students. Expect that some students may experience initial and even continuing discomfort using this new discussion forum. Make sure they have an avenue to assist them. Dont become the technical advisor Having a technical help place will encourage students to ask each other for help. Do sign on to your conferences with a frequency appropriate to the use you expect from your students. Do perform the moderating function by directing the discussions dampening inappropriate language or statements and commenting. Dont rush to fill every void. You may need to wait a few days for students to respond but give them some time. Be careful of sarcasm. Without tone of voice and body language sarcasm can be misinterpreted.

Scribd