9 Online Student Engagement Strategies For Discussion Forums - Higher Ed - Wiley Education Services

27/07/2020 9 Online Student Engagement Strategies for Discussion Forums - Higher Ed : Wiley Education Services
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9 Student Engagement Strategies for Online Discussion Forums in 2019
9 Student Engagement Strategies

for Online Discussion Forums in
2019
    
I n online courses, students have been shown to demonstrate more

positive attitudes and greater levels of performance when discussion
boards are highly interactive. To ensure we, as faculty, connect with our
students and deliver quality online learning experiences, we must re-think the
ways we can engage with them to increase their level of participation so that
students can reap all of the bene ts of elearning.
Nine simple ways to increase student

engagement in online discussion forums:
PARTICIPATE IN THE “STUDENT LOUNGE”:
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Respond to all student introductions. Post your own introduction and talk
about both your personal and professional background. Your students will
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model how you relate to them.

Follow-up on all questions –
either privately or publicly.
ATTACH PHOTOS,
IMAGES, VIDEOS,
TWEETS, LINKS,
ETC.:
If you really want to make your
online course stand out from
competition, use media to
illustrate a point, create more
conversation, inject humor, or just for fun. When using personalized videos,
ensure you look into the camera to appear that you are making eye contact.
Record videos using your webcam, smartphone, etc., and upload the les to
YouTube, Vimeo, screencast.com, or use a service like VoiceThread.
Encourage your students to do the same.
READ ALL THE POSTS:

Students who read all their fellow students’ postings consistently get higher
grades, so you should do the same. You don’t have to respond to all posts –
that may sti e a real discussion. Instead, give students the “space” to respond
to each other.
RESPOND TO STUDENTS WITH A QUESTION,

AFFIRMATION, OR FEEDBACK:
To replicate on-campus learning experiences online, respond frequently to
your students individually – whether it’s private or public. This shows that you
value them and allows you to identify at-risk students. Highlight the good
points your students have made. Your interaction encourages students to
post more often and stay engaged.
ASK QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENTS

TO THINK:
Discussions are driven by questions – so ask. Guide your students to go
deeper and think critically about the subject matter outside of what is
providedThis website
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IF A DISCUSSION IS LAGGING, TRY RE-FRAMING
THE QUESTION:
“Flipping” the question, or restating it using di erent terms, can help students
understand the discussion better. If nothing seems to work, you may want to
replace the question totally, or simply ask the question: “We seem to have
some di culty with this question, why do you think that is?”
ALWAYS WATCH YOUR ONLINE TONE:

Qualify your tone if necessary. Avoid the overuse of exclamation points!
NEVER TYPE IN ALL CAPS. Emoticons and symbols add value to the
conversation when implemented sparingly. You incorporate humor, images,
and frame your responses and statements for students to better understand
you.
AFFIRM YOUR STUDENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE:

A rm (but don’t atter) your students collectively and individually, with
recognition of what they brought to the discussion. The a rmation may even
be part of the framing you use to then ask them a question or encourage
them to go deeper.
DONʼT BE AFRAID TO ASK STUDENTS HOW A

PARTICULAR DISCUSSION IS WORKING:
Periodically ask your students what’s good (or bad) about a particular
discussion. How is it working/or not working for them? What could be
improved? When you ask, be sure to acknowledge and act on their comments
if needed.
Utilizing the above tips as you implement an online discussion will go a long
way in student relationship management, increasing your presence, and
encouraging creative thinking in the online classroom. For more best
practices in engaging online learning environments , such as better utilizing
media or increasing faculty-student engagement online, visit our Resources
page.
Free Resources
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Online College Students 2020:
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1 Comment
James Anderson
May 31, 2020 at 6:30 am
Thank you so much. This is a really helpful article.
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27/07/2020 9 Online Student Engagement Strategies for Discussion Forums - Higher Ed : Wiley Education Services

Wiley Home • Student Support & Success •

9 Student Engagement Strategies

I n online courses, students have been shown to demonstrate more

Nine simple ways to increase student

I Understand or Manage cookies.

model how you relate to them.

READ ALL THE POSTS:

RESPOND TO STUDENTS WITH A QUESTION,

ASK QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENTS

I Understand or Manage cookies.

ALWAYS WATCH YOUR ONLINE TONE:

AFFIRM YOUR STUDENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE:

DONʼT BE AFRAID TO ASK STUDENTS HOW A

Contact Us Newsletter Menu 

Get the report from Wiley,

Get the report from Wiley,

I Understand or Manage cookies.

Contact Us Newsletter Menu 

Creating a Meaningful Online Learning Experience for Students Amid

Infographic: Who is The Online College Student?

The Future of Online Education in the Wake of COVID-19

Contact Us Newsletter Menu 

Thank you so much. This is a really helpful article.

I Understand or Manage cookies.

Questions about textbooks?

0 of 250 max characters

I Understand or Manage cookies.

Contact Us Newsletter Menu 

Follow Wiley Education Services

Advancement Courses News

Copyright 2020 | Wiley Education Services • Privacy Policy • Sitemap • Terms of

I Understand or Manage cookies.

Contact Us Newsletter Menu 

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