The [not so] Elusive Discussion Board

by Michael S. Miller, Ed.D.

You have just begun taking classes online.  It is the first day of the course and because you are extremely organized and have excellent time management skills, you have finished all of the required reading for the week.  It is time to begin knocking out some of your assignments.  It is likely the first one you will tackle is the discussion board.  You think to yourself, “this should be simple, all I need to do is answer a couple of questions.”  Sure, on the surface, it appears that way; however, the discussion board is about more than just answering the questions provided by the instructor.  This is part of why the discussion board may seem elusive to many students.

The policies, procedures, and expectations for the discussion board vary from one school to the next.  That is why it is critical that you (not your professor), are clear about how to begin, this sometimes daunting task.  It is rather common that the professor has directed you towards the discussion board policies and expectations (If not, as an online student, you are ultimately responsible for finding out this information) for your particular school.  You will want to locate this material before you get started.  Some common policies include things like when your posts are due and the minimum required length for posts; even the number of posts by your classmates to which you need to reply.

The Purpose of an Online Discussion Board Forum

While the true purpose may depend on who you ask, it is probable that the reason you are completing this assignment serves multiple purposes.  Some of the main reasons most schools incorporate a discussion board into an online class include:

1.      To assist in building a sense of community among students;

2.      Students can replicate the robust discussions that take in the traditional classroom;

3.      To serve as an additional medium for collaboration and the exchange of ideas; and/or

4.      As a way to demonstrate the understanding or application of course material.

Regardless of the purpose, each of the above mentioned reasons alone, should be enough for you to take this activity seriously.  For example, most students attend school online due to their work and/or family schedule.  In other words, they are simply not in a position to attend a weekly class in person.  In a traditional classroom setting, you have the opportunity to get to know your classmates through a variety of interactions.  It is through these interactions that a sense of community is built and you begin to feel comfortable bringing your thought or ideas to the table and asking questions.  Positive growth in class community is reflected through a sense of cohesion with other students, a higher degree of trust between students, an increased number of inquiries and questions between students and the instructor, and a general sense that the class is valuable and applicable to student needs (Rovai & Lucking, 2000).

 

The Student’s Role in an Online Discussion Board Forum

You may be wondering what your specific role is in this process.  While there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to completing this assignment, there are several things you will want to consider.  Keep in mind that all of your posts in a discussion board are meant to be reflective in nature; powering you to read other perspectives and carefully consider a response.  Consider the following as general guidelines in order for both you and your classmates to get the most out of the discussion board:

1.      Think before you write. You will want to ponder all of your options and alternatives in the initial post.  It is a good idea to use a word processing application to write your post, rather than typing it directly into the response box.  This will give you more time to think about your response and edit as necessary.

2.      Think of the discussion board as an in-between of a chat and a formal essay. When we are chatting with someone, it generally consists of a fast-paced series of short verbal spurts. In a formal essay, we slowly develop larger ideas at length. The discussion board falls in between.

3.      It is also a good idea to read what others in your class have said before you post. It is important to be aware of what has already been said and try to add a new dimension, or a different slant, or another perspective.  Challenge yourself to try to weave the work of others into your own.  When you do, mention the names and ideas of others and do not be afraid to bounce off your classmates or ask them questions.

4.      One sign of a successful post is the number and quality of responses it receives. If you write with the purpose of engaging others with your ideas, the more everyone will take away from the activity.

5.      As per the name of the activity, this is a discussion, so keep the conversation going.  When someone responds to one of your posts, acknowledge the response by adding another post (or answering a question if they ask).

6.      Just as when you are in a regular classroom, there is also an etiquette proper to the discussion board. This etiquette includes listening to (reading) everybody, providing thoughtful response, maintaining decorum, criticizing politely, addressing replies to people by name, signing your posts, etc.

7.      One of the best things about the discussion board is that it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For an optimal learning experience, visit the board frequently.  If you (and your classmates) wait until there is a mound of posts before completing the activity, the discussion board will lose focus and become intimidating. This can also stifle fresh, focused responses.  Instead, work on the discussion board in small time chunks to insure that you are giving proper attention to both your work and the work of others.

As mentioned earlier, there are several benefits to a discussion board forum.  It contributes to the development of your cognitive and critical thinking skills, allows time for thoughtful, in-depth reflection on course topics, facilitates exploratory learning by allowing you to review and respond to the work of others and paves the way for you to approach your own learning in diverse ways.  Just as with any other assignment you complete while in school, you get out of the discussion board what you put into it.

References

Rovai, A. P., & Lucking, R. (2000, September). Measuring sense of classroom community. Paper presented at Learning 2000: Reassessing the Virtual University, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA.

Communication Skills Improve Employment Opportunities

Communication is an important skill that college graduates should develop to enhance their opportunities in the workplace and life. The benefits of strong communication skills reach across employment fields and social demographics to improve graduates employment prospects and chances for future promotion.  Learning to effectively speak and write is a skill highly sought after employers and is generally rewarded in the market. 

Because communication opens doors to a number of different opportunities that wouldn’t have been available otherwise it is important for college students to pay attention when professors provide feedback on papers or comment on speaking abilities. Before getting bent out of shape students should understand that feedback is used for improvement and not for criticism.

Employers want students who communicate well in verbal and written form. Employers seldom find the proper amount of oral communication skills among college graduates (Gray & Murray, 2011). The ability to express oneself and talk to each other to achieve goals is important in social situations to get one’s voice heard.  

Consider the regular use of email, letters, and other electronic formats of writing in the modern workplace. The ability to write and communicate using these mediums is a must for those who desire to successfully navigate the workplace.  Information and communication skills can lead to greater employment opportunities as well as higher pay and promotion (Walton, et. al. 2009). 

Communication also fits with other important skills used on the job. Employers seek candidates with soft skills like communication, integrity, courtesy, responsibility, social skills, attitude, professionalism, teamwork, flexibility, and work ethic (Robles, 2012). These skills are more complex than occupational learning and move a candidate more into the world of professionalism. 

Crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s may not be a whole lot of fun but it can have a significant impact on a person’s occupational success. Communication is a skill that develops over many years and as one becomes stronger at communicating they will naturally find more ears listening. Even though strong communication is extremely important for business graduates who desire to someday be managers its benefits are not exclusive to the business field alone. 

Gray, E. & Murray, N. (2011). A distinguishing factor: oral communication skills in new accountancy graduates. Accounting education, 20 (3). 

Robles, M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75 (4). 

Walton, R. et. al. (2009). Skills are not binary: nuances in the relationship between ICT skills and employability. Information Technologies & International Development, 5 (2).

Four Success Tips for New (and old) Online Learners

by Michael S. Miller, Ed.D.

There is a great deal of information on the internet regarding how to be successful in an online course.  One can find anything from tips for managing your time to staying organized.  Much of what is written is done so by researchers and poll groups; little information exists from actual online professors.  Having spent several years now teaching online, the following are some general guidelines from someone in the trenches.  While this list may seem simple and “common sense,” you would be surprised at how few students actually follow them.

1.       Check your email regularly.  The main form of communication in the online learning environment is through email.  Your school and professor will likely use this as the first step in getting information to you.  Many online professors do not have access to your phone number…so the next best thing is email.  Professors may use email to notify you of a missing assignment, an incorrectly submitted assignment, a grade or attendance issue, general announcements, or changes in due dates, just to name a few.  You will feel much more connected to both the course and your professor if you check your email on a frequent basis.  A good rule of thumb is at least once every other day.

2.       Read the Course Announcements.  Many students see this as superfluous information and do not spend the time reading through the course announcements.  Particularly, at the beginning of the course this is critical.  You will likely find information about: how the course is run, important due dates, professor expectations, and sometimes hints for completing your assignments.  Most online professors spend a great deal of time designing and developing these…use them to your advantage!  Not to mention, when a student asks a question and the answer is ‘in the announcements section,’ it is very frustrating for both parties.  This is similar to the syllabus; read it thoroughly.

3.      Review Assignment Feedback.  For each assignment you complete, there is a great chance that the professor will provide detailed and constructive feedback.  The Illinois Online Network (2010) suggests that the feedback process continues the learning experience, adds depth and understanding to the assignment already submitted by the student, and affords the instructor an opportunity to reiterate key concepts.  In addition, this feedback gives you specific information on your course work in relation to the course objectives and expectations.   "Research suggests that students want feedback, and personalized feedback that includes suggestions for improvement, with explanations" (Getzlaf, Perry, Toffner, Lamarche & Edwards, 2009).  In an online course, detailed and specific feedback on assignments is even more critical given the medium.  Therefore, once your grade is posted for an assignment or assessment, you are encouraged to take the time to read the feedback provided by your professor.  It can be very frustrating for a professor to have to repeat the same comment for subsequent assignments.

4.      Spend Time Learning APA Style Formatting.  If you have never used APA Style formatting, or if it has been a while, it is crucial that you spend time with it. The important thing to remember is that APA can be difficult, but do not get discouraged.  Learning APA takes time and practice.  Even your professor did not learn it in just a few weeks or months.  So, why APA you ask?  Not only is APA Style formatting required of at most schools, but the APA Style format is a standardized system for formatting research papers and citing resources.  By following its rules, one can write a paper that conforms to standard guidelines, the paper will appear professional and scholarly, and readers will easily understand how to find the resources you used.  The American Psychological Association began setting standards for research paper format and citations in order to help scholars, like you, everywhere, follow coordinated guidelines.  Standardized papers are easier to read, understand, compare, and study.  Since researchers often build upon past studies, these guidelines help make that progress smooth (Smith, 2013).  You will be using it a great deal throughout the online learning experience.  A good way to familiarize yourself with it is to take notice when reading journal articles formatted in APA.  You will want to take a closer look at both the in-text and reference citations.  The more time you spend learning it now, the less difficult it will be as you progress through your degree program.

Becoming a successful online learner requires the student to be on top of things- and to be self-directed.  Whether you are brand-new to the online learning experience, or you are a professional online learner; these four tips will help you get the most out of your education.

References

Getzlaf, B., Perry, B., Toffner, G., Lamarche, K., & Edwards, M. (2009, July). Effective instructor feedback: Perceptions of online graduate students. The Journal of Educators Online, 6(2).  Retrieved from http://www.thejeo.com/Archives/Volume6Number2/GetzlafetalPaper.pdf

Illinois Online Network. (2010). Strategies for providing feedback in online courses. Retrieved from http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/communication/feedback.asp

Smith, D. (2013, January). Five principles for research ethics: Cover your bases with these ethical strategies. Monitor on Psychology, 34(1), 56.

Adams Avenue Street Fair-Craft and Music Combo

Street fairs are an excellent opportunity to socialize and experience the artistic talent of the area as they display everything from food to hand-crafted home decorations. Last weekend I attended the Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair with over 300 vendors and 100 live musical acts. The event lined Adams Street for the distance of approximately eight city blocks. 

This particular street fair is one of the largest in the area and occurs annually drawing thousands of visitors to the bohemian Adams Avenue Business District. This year the event was held on September 27^th and 28^th and was situated in a cordoned street right between the stores, bars, restaurants, and apartments. 

Handcrafts:

Some of the items are hand crafted such as the bottled glasswork. Not sure how the artist makes his items but it appears he melts the bottles down in some way to manipulate them into wind chimes, wall pictures, or table trays. Other handcrafted goods included jewelry, clothing, pens, and wall signs. 

Art:

Items such as paintings, pottery, and cartoons were just some of the artistic endeavors on display. A few 3D drawings caught my attention.  As you look at drawings from different angles they change shape.  

Food:

It doesn’t take long to smell the aromas from food vendors representing just about every culture imaginable.  For the first time in my life I ordered a rice milk and cinnamon drink from a Mexican food stand; pretty good stuff. A half block further I was tempted by stuffed grape leaves due to a recent cooking failure I had a week ago. 

Bands and more bands:

If you were in the mood to listen to bands they were blaring on just about every block which converted the art fair into mixed music and art affair. Rock, country, Indie and vocalists got a place on the stage. The beer garden seemed attractive to the concert goers.

http://www.adamsaveonline.com/StreetFair/