Most courses have online discussions, some of which are graded. To some, this is the most troublesome course requirement possible; for others, it’s an opportunity to shine. Here are some tips to help you successfully participate in online discussions.
Plan your posting
Think through your ideas, read other postings to see what others are saying, and address comments that support or contradict your ideas.
Turn your thoughts into questions
Make bold or provocative statements. Check back often to see what discussion you’ve generated and respond to it.
Add value
Say why you agree/disagree with other postings and explain your rationale. Raise some thoughts or questions for others to respond to.
Be concise
In general, short and sweet is best. Aim for short and purposeful postings – avoid repetition and lengthy explanations. Stick to one or two main points with supporting evidence in each posting.
Make the context clear
Be specific about what aspect of a posting you are responding to. Paraphrasing provides feedback for the poster on how well ideas were communicated.
Use keywords in your posting titles
This can include the discussion thread title and a bit about the content of the posting (e.g. Discussion #3 Personality in Animals: Animals lack anatomical structure for personality).
Be open
Different perspectives are the point of discussions and can deepen your understanding of the issues being discussed. Difference of opinion is an opportunity for learning.
Feel free to change your mind
Take a stand at first, but realize that your ideas aren’t permanent. Let the new information from the discussion modify your stand and say so when it does.
Feel free to disagree
Disagree with points, not people. Support your contradicting point with evidence. Debate makes for a very productive and meaningful discussion.
Avoid emotional posting
In the heat of the moment write up a response but don’t send it. Wait a day or two then re-read your response and remove all the emotional statements. Stick to the main points and support your points with evidence from the lectures/readings.
Avoid sarcasm
It is easily misinterpreted in an online environment. Stay on topic, stick to the key issues raised and avoid personal judgments or emotional responses. If you are joking, use emoticons to convey the nature of the message.
Create cohesion and community
Get to know each other! A bit of friendly chit-chat and appropriate personal stories help your personalities shine through. Give positive feedback, use light humour, use first names, respond promptly, offer assistance, and avoid negative undertones.
Enjoy yourself
Online discussions will enrich your understanding of course material and foster co-operative learning with your peers. It is also an excellent forum for developing learning, communication, and social interaction skills that are valuable in all aspects of your life.
Further Reading
University of Waterloo’s Online Discussion Tips for Students