[nraaman]

The quality of discussion often makes the difference between a good and a grate online class. Both students and instructors have the responsibility to make discussion a success. While instructors undoubtedly must help guide and facilitate discussion, a valuable exchange of ideas can only happen through the efforts of Students. There are things students can do to bring energy and depth to class participation.

The first strategy is to take initiative during discussion. In adult education, worthwhile discussions are student-driven. Therefore, students took an active role in helping to generate discussion. Use discussion to promote they’re own learning, by asking questions, exploring issues, and making connections between different topics, posts, and course materials. Above all an opportunity for them to direct and deepen their knowledge.

Second, a high level of responsiveness greatly enhances the quality of discussion. Students should be attentive to the initial discussion topics and to the questions and comments posed by the instructor and classmates throughout the discussion they should reply to and elaborate on the ideas raised by others, in order to expand the topic and extend the discussion thread.

Bringing originality to discussion is also important. Even though the entire class will likely respond to the same topics, the student can make their responses a reflection of their particular ideas, interests, and concerns, they should express their own opinions, analyses, and experience in regard to a topic. To absolutely ensure that all of their thinking and also all of their posts are original, it is always best that students do not read their classmates’ posts before they begin to write their own seed posts, or for that matter even during the process of writing their seed posts. Similarly while they may find it helpful to occasionally research a topic this material should not serve as the basis of or be a substitute for their original response. Rather, it should be integrated with their ideas and analyses or presented as additional information, and the source of the information should always be properly sighted and documented.

A thorough post is thoughtful (literally, full of thought) and meets the criteria given by the course and the instructor. Students should address all parts of a topic, and sufficiently develop, support and explain your ideas. They should use examples from course materials or relevant experiences to support their points, and be specific and concrete in presenting their ideas. Being thorough also means that the writing was clear, organized, and grammatically correct. Finally, students should have fun during it. Discussion is an opportunity for them to get to know their classmates. To practice the fine art of good conversation and to bring wit and finesse to the expression of their ideas. After all, the best learning occurs when the experience is an enjoyable one.