Sept. 23 ALCoP to focus on using discussion boards to connect students

Intentional, well-managed course discussion boards can engage students and promote a healthy hybrid, hy-flex, and/or online learning community. They can help students think more deeply about course content, and connect with each other, especially with the social distancing challenges associated with COVID-19.

Dr. Jennifer Richardson, professor of Learning Design and Technology will share her expertise on building and facilitating course discussion boards, during the next monthly meeting of Purdue’s Active Learning Community of Practice (ALCoP) on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2-3 p.m. There is no charge to register for the WebEx session.

Richardson, who has taught online for more than 20 years, will offer practical tips for setting up online discussions, including:

• Managing your expectations of students in hybrid, hy-flex, and/or online courses.
• Setting up parameters and rubrics so students understand what is expected.
• Planning to encourage participation (deadlines, groups, frequency).
• Writing creative, reflective prompts that engage students in their own learning.
• Instructor participation in discussion board vs encouraging student-run threads.

Richardson leads the Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning (PoRTAL) digital repository on the Innovative Learning website. PoRTAL provides resources on teaching online, including a document on Discussion Board Facilitation.

Instructors and staff interested in the Sept. 23 session or other monthly meetings, or learning more about ALCoP, may go to its website. ALCoP welcomes all Purdue instructors with an interest in using active learning pedagogy.

Questions regarding ALCoP or other resources for instructors may be emailed to InnovativeLearningTeam@purdue.edu.