Initial Posts and Engagement
I would love to see any examples of engaging, pertinent initial posts that you folks have used to motivate and engage students in a discussion. I love to see the creativity that many instructors have and try to use some of that creativity in my instruction.
Dennis,
I think I am going to assign students to participate in a discussion wall. They have to post to a online wall regarding a particular topic and then drive a discussion. Everyone has to add to the wall and link all the additions.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I always ask for students to share any personal experiences that they have had with the topic. If it is about diversity in business overseas I ask them to share any experiences that they have had overseas that were markedly different from here in the states.
Adults like to share their life experiences and the Discussion Board is a great place for that to happen.
Kym,
You are so right. The discussion board can be such a powerful tool for engagement. I assume you share also?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
When I teach my critical thinking course I often ask my students to give me an example of how they would handle the situation we are discussing if they were placed in the assignment situation. Then I ask them to tell me what they would do having now learned the tools they have studied.
Asking that they provide examples and applying the assignment situation to their own lives can generate some good discussion interactions. Students want to be able to share their lives and this way I think it fosters engagement.
Kimberley,
You want students to do more than just know the content, you want them to apply, critique, and/or evaluate using that content.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi Kym,
When I post a discussion question, I will provide information on the topic and then ask the students a question. I too find that when a student has a chance to share what they know (personal or through research), it allows them a chance to showcase their knowledge on the subject content. Communication should not always be about what the instructor/facilitator knows. The facilitator should initiate the conversation and allow the students to share their knowledge, ask questions, and give personal references to the discussion. The students love it when you say “good job, well done†and you are correctâ€.
Kimberly,
Great post, you want to develop that sense of community among the students It can be done and all students benefit. I have students lead the discussion and as group, they have to discuss strategy among the group then lead the class. It works!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
