Unit 2 E-Lecture
Return to Unit 2: Constructing Online Discussion Activities
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E-Lecture, Unit 2:
As we have learned in Unit 1, discourse that takes place in the learning community serves as a vehicle to formulate and exchange ideas, thus leading to knowledge building. A discussion activity is the principle vehicle for how learning occurs.
Discussion in the online environment can occur in different formats. For example, the instructor can design small group or team work, or have the discussion activities take place with the entire class. In addition, course characteristics (the design, the learning management system) and student characteristics (the social and cognitive trust) affects the learning community and how it evolves. It is important to understand the different ways by which effective discussion—i.e., discussion that results in learning--is supported.
In some discussions, the instructor has a particular objective in mind, i.e., where the discussion should lead. For the most part, in discussions, it is less about reaching some desired end state, and more about creating knowledge along the way through the discussions.
There are several questions the instructor/designer needs to consider when constructing the discussion activities—the learning system or web site (or other technology), the technologies employed (discussion forum, blog, wiki, etc.), and the degree of student-teacher interaction (teaching presence). In addition, the instructor must consider how the discussion activities will be graded—if at all. This leads us to Unit 3: Assessment and Evaluation.
Questions for thought:
How will you design your discussion activities in your course? Why? What technologies would you implement and why?
What’s next?
In the next unit, we will cover assessment and evaluation of online discussion activities.
Return to Unit 2: Constructing Online Discussion Activities to finish the activities for this unit.
NOTE: You will find citations for this e-lecture on the References and Resources page.
Return to Unit 2: Constructing Online Discussion Activities
Facilitating Effective Online Discourse Home Page