Threaded Discussions in Your Web Course

Objective:

This job aid will provide you with instructional tips on developing threaded discussions for your course.
 
 

What are Threaded Discussions?
 

Threaded discussions are a form of asynchronous communication. These text-based conversations help learners organize and follow conversations without getting lost in numerous postings. They also give students a chance to take turn leading and participating in the conversation.
 
 
What Terms are Synonymous with Threaded Discussions?
 

Depending on the Course Management System (CMS) tools threaded discussions are also known as:

  • Bulleting boards

  • Discussions

  • Forums

  • Threads

 
 

How are Threaded Discussions Organized?
 

The instructor or student creates a topic and in responding to that topic, subtopics may be created. Subtopics are branches or threads of the main topic. Generally, the topics are displayed in a summarized hierarchy, making it possible to organize the discussion.
 
 

As participants respond to the message, their responses are sequentially linked to the original message. Participants can read or respond to any of the messages in a thread. There can be more than one threaded discussion topic within a folder.
 
 

What are Some Advantages of Threaded Discussions?

 

Threaded discussions give participants time to reflect on postings and to prepare their responses. Learners generally feel that they get to participate in the online conversations, in contrast to classrooms where a few students can dominate discussions.
Another advantage of threaded discussions is that learners do not miss out on any conversations because they're available in the course. Learners are also motivated to do the readings so that they can participate. They also attach value to reading other students' responses, thus creating a community of learners.
 
 

What are Some Tips for Leading Threaded Discussions?
 

  1. Place one question in an individual message as opposed to several questions in one posting. When questions are presented individually, they are easier to respond to.

  2. Form groups in the class and assign different questions for different groups.

  3. Formulate questions that can be applied to personal experiences or topic preferences.

  4. Vary the managing strategies. For example, participants can post their responses with reflective questions. Learners could also be requested to respond to topics according to an assigned role.

  5. One way to engage learners it to have them post one or two original responses on the topics and to post two or three thoughtful replies to other students' messages.
 
 

What are Some Tips for Managing Threaded Discussions?
 

The instructor can:

  1. Lead the first discussion in order to set the tone of discussion for the class.

  2. Keep the discussion focused.

  3. Ensure that all necessary material is addressed and that the different parts of each discussion follow a sequence that is conducive to learning a particular topic.

  4. Manage discussion etiquette.

  5. Avoid dominating the discussion, but keep it focused.

  6. All participants an opportunity to share.

  7. Allow for students to disagree and take a position without interfering.

 
 

How Can I Encourage Students to Have Meaningful Discussions?
 

For the discussions to be more valuable, advise student to:

  1. Stay on the topic and be focused.

  2. Allow for honest and open discussions from classmates.

  3. Critically reflect on the discussion.

  4. Encourage self-directed and self-regulated learning.

  5. Be respectful to classmates and reflect on the experience of leading the online discussion.

  6. Find out what research in the specified area says and apply it to the responses.