Why Use a Discussion Board in Traditional Class?

Discussion Boards are perceived as tools for online classes. However, a discussion board can add quite a lot to the traditional twice a week class...

Discussion boards can address three particularly vexing issues that impede discussion in the physical classroom (1) unevenly prepared students and (2) assessing participation (3) uneven participation.

For more specific details on using Discussion, see Using Discussion In Traditional, Hybrid, And Online Classes

Unprepared Students

The live discussion and the exchange of ideas is one of the most exciting aspects of teaching. Few things are as frustrating as preparing for an in-class discussion only to find that students are unevenly prepared. The result is usually a quick lecture to get everyone up-to-speed, which only wastes time and trains students that they do not have to do the readings because you will lecture on them.

If you do like to lecture, prepared students allows for more interaction and the ability to comfortably move beyond the textbook into more complex aspects of the material or applications of content.

Good discussion requires knowledge parity and this can only happen if students have done the assigned readings. Starting the discussion online compels students to read the material and exposes them to other students ideas and perspectives.  It also compels them to read earlier (as opposed to skimming right before class) to allow for deeper cognitive processing. Online discussion gets the conversation going.

Assessing Participation

Grading participation usually involves the creation of some sort of in-class produced work or devolves into covert grading on attendance. Online discussion creates speech artifacts that can be easily assessed using the Canvas Speedgrader function.

Uneven Participation

Typically, about 10-15% of students will participate in an in-class discussion. The reasons for this are varied and might include lack of preparation, shyness, fear, disability, or cultural norms. In an online discussion, everyone has a chance to "speak," there is always enough time, and no one talks over you or interrupts. Since discussion has already been in process, students may feel more comfortable speaking in class. Instructors can also more confidently call on students or highlight certain posts they feel are exceptional.

For more specific details on using Discussion, see Using Discussion In Traditional, Hybrid, And Online Classes