What role or purpose do discussion forums serve in the online classroom and are they effective?
Discussion forums provide a platform for students to engage in conversation about a particular topic. They are effective because they allow students to gain insight from their peers, in the same way that a face-to-face classroom discussion would.
How do discussion forums function as a teaching tool?
When students interact with their peers, they gain access to a perspective that is often different from their own. This type of exposure allows students to examine information from a new and different lense, thus creating an authentic learning opportunity.
How could they be used effectively and ineffectively? Furthermore, what are some best practices for facilitating forums online?
If students are simply posting on a forum and not reviewing their peers' comments, they are not using the forum effectively. In order for online discussions to be effective, their must be a two-way exchange of ideas. To facilitate this, students should be held responsible for interacting with their peers. They should be encouraged to ask questions of each other and to see outside sources when necessary.
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