The Best Way to Engage in Online Discussion

Why are students so quiet during online discussions, discover more? The mystery of this is something that no instructor in the world has been able solve. The design of the course is usually the culprit. These are not always tied to learning objectives. This often results in these discussions being treated as an ‘assignment’, with forced conversations. It’s important to take part in discussions whether the environment is conducive. You can earn brownie points by being active and participating in class.

Stay updated. Read the whole thread before making a comment. You will avoid having to repeat a point of view that has already been made. When you add something to the viewpoint, you should acknowledge that point first before stating what you intend to do. First acknowledge any points you do agree on before you move onto those you disagree. You can come up with another suggestion to counter a certain view.

Use the right language. Instructors will evaluate your content as well as aspects like writing style, grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc. The last thing you want is to make yourself look bad with your grammar. Do not use emoticons from social media or other short forms on forums.

You will find students with diverse backgrounds in online classes. Make sure you don’t make any racist or sexist comments. All of us know that capitalizing letters can be compared to shouting.

Join in Regularly and Post Early. Remember to login at least 3 times each week. Participants are given a grade for their participation and it counts toward the final score. Teachers expect maximum engagement when they present a discussion question. Comments made earlier will set the mood of the discussion. It is possible that you will score extra points in this situation.

Please proofread your comments before submitting. Take the time to review and confirm facts in your comments. You can’t do much once you post your comment. When you quote from books, journals, or magazines, cite the source. Also, this helps reduce the amount of plagiarism.

Less is more: Instructions are clearly stated in the discussion guidelines. The rules include sticking to the word limit, adhering strictly to discussion topics, and following all citation requirements.