Blackboard Mobile App

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Monday, 24 June 2013

Discussion Board Tips For Students

Posted on 05:11 by Unknown
Have you ever been in a class and be required to use the Blackboard (Bb) discussion board? The  discussion board tool itself has evolved over to give you more creativity and control of the why you present the content to complete the task. If you need help using the discussion board tool you can, (1) get text instructions at the SU Blackboard Support page, (2) watch the videos within the SU Atomic Learning site, (3) look at Bb's On Demand support site for students, (4) check out Bb's Help Wiki just for students, (5) send an email to bbsupport@su.edu from you SU email, (6) or practice within the open student Bb course within the "Help & Support" button on course menus.

The key to successfully successfully completing a discussion board requirement is not just knowing how to use the tool. You should review the grading rubric within for the discussion board to better understand how your grade will be calculated and what key items must be included in the post. The final task is to collect the content and right the discussion board post. Below are 5 tips that may help you make quality submissions.

1. Firstly, be sure to read all the submissions by your classmates. Most learning platforms, like Blackboard, give your instructor and option to see which students have read what. However, please don’t approach an online forum with the reduced mindset that you HAVE to participate and that I am checking up on your level of engagement, because then in reality you will lose sight of the point of the exercise. For example, if you were in a brick and mortar classroom you would “hear’ all the comments, so why wouldn’t you read all the comments in an online class? The more you participate in the forum the more you will get out of it. Also note that Bb now allows instructors to require you to submit your discussion board post BEFORE you can read your classmates submissions.
2. Despite what I just said please recognize that an online forum does not translate exactly to a discussion in a traditional class. Because the discussion board is asynchronous the responsibility is on all the members of the class to make sure that the conversation flows, and this only happens if students buy into the assessment and do the work.
3. When you are commenting on the posts of your classmates, stay away from the “That’s a good point, Joe.” Or “I agree, Sue.” Those types of comments good places to start but please do not end there. Give your fellow classmates feedback and tell them why it is a good point or how it resonated with you. Put yourself in the role of your teacher and critically evaluate the post of your classmate by providing substantive feedback in the form of a detailed and well thought out response. Peer feedback is the most powerful kind! In addition to assisting your classmates it will help you learn how to critically evaluate a piece of writing. This is a life skill that will serve you long after you leave the classroom.
4. Remember that an online forum is meant to be a discussion, so always respond to those classmates that respond to your original posts. This develops community and rapport and quite frankly it is the polite thing to do. You wouldn’t ignore someone if they spoke to you, would you?
5. Finally, feel free to discuss your opinions on the topic, but always remember to be respectful of different positions that maybe voiced. If your opinion is backed up by facts, be sure to reference your sources appropriately. Some discussion boards are designed to not have a right or wrong answer whereas others ask for research to support a position. Be sure to recognize the difference and respond accordingly. 
Faculty use discussion board forums to assist in learning, assess understanding of content, and expect the contributions from students to be worthwhile and meaningful!

Note: The five tips were taken from http://www.edudemic.com/2013/06/5-online-discussion-tips-for-students/
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Posted in | No comments
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • Devon's Tips & Tricks Post
    Here is Devon Taylor's Tips & Tricks to start of the week after the Labor Day holiday. ...
  • Using IFTTT or If This Then That
    Today we are defying the age old wisdom set before us in the 1984 film "Ghostbusters." That's right folks, today we are crossi...
  • SU App
    Do you have the SU app ?   For information on h ow to obtain the SU app , please visit - http://mobi.su.edu --and watch this fantastic video...
  • Student Tech Buzz 11/25-11/29
    ...
  • Gaining Control Of Your Wallet
  • Today - Free Cookies for Students
    I still have FREE Girl Scout cookies available for students.  Stop by my office while supplies last.  I will be here until 5pm today.
  • Best Free apps for SU Students
    After spending a lot of time browsing through various tech blogs about which apps are best for college students, I felt like pulling out my ...
  • Additional way to Protect Your Data
    I checked out a program over the weekend called Truecrypt which has the dual advantages of being multi-platform (Windows & Mac...
  • Wiki's In Blackboard
    A wiki is a collaborative tool that allows you to contribute and modify one or more pages of course related materials. A wiki provides an ...
  • Fill ‘er up? (Mac laptop that is)
    Your IC department has made it easy to get the software you want without even having to take a trip to the helpdesk. On your toolb...

Categories

  • G0000365rg

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2013 (244)
    • ►  November (25)
    • ►  October (33)
    • ►  September (22)
    • ►  August (21)
    • ►  July (9)
    • ▼  June (16)
      • 5 Tips to Create Strong Passwords- Good Guide for ...
      • Bb Key to the Community Award
      • Infographics, Chrome Browser Tips, & Opportunity T...
      • Discussion Board Tips For Students
      • Video Everywhere and Image Style Options
      • New Student Tool Added To Bb!
      • Quick Tips: Blackboard Content Editor Basics
      • Sign-up or Verify Your SU Emergency Alert Account ...
      • Course Materials Focus Group Opportunity With Blac...
      • A Google+ Profile & Social Learn Profile: Means Op...
      • Video Everywhere
      • Grill'n with Staff Council
      • Tools For Academic Research
      • ATTN: Mac users running Mountain Lion v10.8.4
      • Wiki's In Blackboard
      • Students - How To Find Your Grades On Blackboard
    • ►  May (21)
    • ►  April (22)
    • ►  March (24)
    • ►  February (33)
    • ►  January (18)
  • ►  2012 (194)
    • ►  December (10)
    • ►  November (17)
    • ►  October (19)
    • ►  September (29)
    • ►  August (11)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (5)
    • ►  May (25)
    • ►  April (19)
    • ►  March (24)
    • ►  February (22)
    • ►  January (11)
  • ►  2011 (20)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (11)
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

Unknown
View my complete profile