Online discussions should be designed to encourage the students to engage and participate with each other as they explore the topics for deeper understanding. The learner must have some flexibility to guide the conversation to accomplish this inquiry. The teacher is the guide or supporter of the learning community and should not be the central focus.
Teacher Roles and ResponsibilityThere are two different levels of involvement that teachers can choose in an online environment. It is important to understand each role and the level of teacher involvement in the discussion forum.
Levels of Teacher Participation |
Student Roles and ResponsibilityThe student has the responsibility to participate and contribute to the discussion.
Students should have clear guidelines to support their participation in the online discussions. They must clearly understand expectations for code of conduct as well as expectations to ensure the quality of their responses. Developing Student Expectations |