Facilitating Electronic Discussions

by Nick Carbone and Cindy Wambeam

In the traditional classroom, we have strategies for generating discussions. Textbooks come with discussion questions, and ancillaries and instructor editions offer even more questions. But those questions are premised on a teacher posing them in class and being able to tease out responses to get the discussion rolling.

How do you do that online? What are some strategies for stimulating discussions in Web-based discussion boards or on class email lists? Below you'll find information and ideas for generating electronic discussions with your students.

• Online Discussion Boards
• Real-Time Discussions
• email and Discussion Lists

Questions for Further Discussion

During an on-campus visit with our workshop presenters, you'll be learning about various strategies for facilitating discussion. We'll also address questions like these:

• What can be done about flaming and other rude behavior?

• Students can easily cut and paste from online class discussions into their own essays.  How should they document their classmates' words and ideas in their essays?
• How do I differentiate between individual students' participation? Should I encourage more group projects?

• How do I manage the huge number of messages generated?