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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =** MANAGING **= = = =** EFFECTIVE **= = = =** ONLINE **= = = =** DISCUSSIONS **= || ||

**MANAGING EFFECTIVE ONLINE DISCUSSIONS**
Online discussions these days can take place in a number of different spaces:


 * discussion forums
 * blogs
 * wikis
 * email

This wiki will be looking primarily at managing discussions in forums.

Before we look at the question of how to manage online discussions we need to ask another question: **__WHY__ ARE ONLINE DISCUSSIONS IMPORTANT? WHY WOULD YOU INCLUDE THEM AS PART OF YOUR COURSE OR GROUP ACTIVITY?**


 * Some suggestions: **


 * to test/assess knowledge
 * to share opinions
 * build community
 * have participants get to know each other (social)
 * icebreaker activities
 * get participants familiar with the tool
 * check understanding of key concepts
 * encourage processing content and reflection


 * HOW TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE DISCUSSIONS**


 * Most important:**


 * explain why you're doing it
 * establish expectations
 * how long should posts be?
 * how often do you (teachers and participants) respond to posts?
 * who summarises, and how often do you summarise discussions?
 * respond promptly


 * In addition:**


 * model the process
 * don't be pompous or too serious - be natural/conversational
 * ask open questions of everyone
 * encourage participants to answer questions posed by other participants
 * encourage participants to start new discussion topics
 * monitor whether someone is not getting any responses (and respond)
 * don't answer all the questions/dominate the discussion. (a ratio of 1:5 or 1:8 is about right)
 * use the backchannel ie email acknowledging good posts that you want other participants to respond to


 * NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:**

This is a public wiki - please add your thoughts.

URL of this wiki: **http://effective-online-discussions.wikispaces.com/**