BOOK: AOD Foundations

3. Benefits of Online Discussion

Introduction 

To begin this chapter, consider viewing an interview with Dr. Leicha Bragg, a faculty who trains mathematics teachers at Deakin University in Australia [6min]. Although the video is somewhat dated (it was published in 2011), some of the ideas and ways in which Dr. Bragg uses discussion boards in her online classes are still valid.

What is an AOD?

An online discussion is defined as communication between instructors and learners using interactive communication tools. These tools can take many forms, from chat sessions (e.g., the chat during a Zoom session), to asynchronous discussion forums (e.g., the threaded discussion board of your LMS), to video chat (e.g., breakout rooms in a Zoom class). 

In this FLO MicroCourse, we will focus on asynchronous online discussions (AOD), which are online discussions that take place over the course of several hours or days and where participants enter the discussion at different time points. The AOD can take place in many formats, from textual, to visual, to video, to audio.

Benefits of AOD

There are many benefits to having classroom discussions, whether they are online or in person. Whatever the format, discussions allow learners to expand their learning outside the classroom through interactive dialogue with their peers and the instructor.

• Equal Chances. In an in person discussion, there is limited time for everyone to talk; as soon as the class discussion time is over, the discussion is over. The online format is a great place to continue the classroom discussions, allowing all learners, even the timid ones or the ones that need more time to think, a chance to have their say. This also allows learners to participate at the same time in multiple lines of thought (threads) within the same discussion theme.

• Depth of conversation. If the instructor makes the expectations and requirements clear then, given that learners have time to reflect on their discussion contributions before posting, they can offer more resources and interesting facts than they could in an in person discussion on the same topic, thus increasing the quality of the discussions.

• Expanding Classroom Learning. A classroom discussion can only last as long as the class hours allow and may take time away from lectures and other activities that the instructor needs to give to learners. Having online discussions allows the learning community to continue course discussions even once the in person time wraps up. It can also be a great way for learners to integrate learning from classroom lectures or activities into discussion conducted online.
• Preparation. In an in person discussion, learners may or may not have prepared or read the material, but in online discussions they always have time to look up the information and study the item prior to posting a response about it, particularly useful for English Language Learners who may need extra time to prepare in advance of discussions.
• Netiquette. Today, much of communication is online, requiring learners to become proficient in a set of social communication skills: how to politely discuss topics in the online format. This is different to social media participation where professionalism is not necessarily required. The instructor is integral in helping learners find their online voices and personalities in a polite and socially acceptable manner that is conducive to a warm and inviting learning community for all; a skill learners will use in their personal and professional lives.
  
• Writing Skills. If the instructor has high expectations on the quality of the writing that learners post, then students will have the opportunity to improve on their writing skills. This can be an essential practice of writing for English language Learners.
• Active Management. As the instructor follows discussion threads, they can see misconceptions or logical errors and fallacies right as they occur and offer the information or guidance students need to stay on the right learning path in class.
• Global Connections. Some online course discussions are conducted across different course sections at the same campus, or across several campuses, or even between the same course at two different universities in the same or different countries (think, for example, of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)). These kinds of online global connections allow the students a chance to improve on their cultural perspectives and to network internationally.

Many students have said that they write their posts in MS Word first to check for grammar and spelling before posting them to be viewed by other students. When asked why, some said they don’t mind making mistakes when submitting writing to the instructor as he/she is an expert in this area, so is used to seeing errors! When submitting threaded posts in the discussion forum however, they feel their writing should be as flawless as possible so their peers will think well of them. – Triona Finucane