FLO MicroCourse: Write a compelling discussion prompt

I've been checking out some of the links in the Resources page (https://scope.bccampus.ca/mod/page/view.php?id=15567) and also the really excellent article that Beth mentioned about "wonder" (https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/the-big-bang-of-motivation-questions-that-evoke-wonder-in-our-students/). I'm thinking I really must be intentional about how (and even if) I include a discussion forum. So as I'm preparing to draft something up, these kinds of questions run through my mind:

• what am I trying to do with this forum? Get people introduced to each other? Demonstrate understanding or mastery of some aspect of the course content? Develop students' ability to participate in an academic discussion? Instill curiosity, develop that sense of wonder? I probably won't be able to do it all within the same discussion forum.
• It's generally understood that increasing "interactivity" within a course will contribute positively to learning outcomes. What does a genuinely interactive discussion forum look like?
• Whatever it is I'm trying to achieve with this activity/learning outcome ... is a discussion forum the best way to do it?

It occurs to me I've most enjoyed discussions that are a bit provocative & start off with a (perhaps deceptively) easy question. Such an approach encourages me to just "jump in" & join the frey. So if my goal as facilitator/educator will be to encourage learning through dialogue, I think provocation & (deceptive) ease, to start, might be the way to go...