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Discussion Boards
What is it? 
A discussion board is a virtual forum for holding discussions and posting content. Most discussion boards are asynchronous forums that resemble bulletin boards and blogs. Instructors and/or students can create topics called "threads" and can then post comments, media, and information under the thread and in response to other users.
Discussion Boards are flexible tools that allow the moderator to set the parameters for the discussion board such as whether or not participants will be allowed to create new threads, post anonymously, change their post once it has been posted, comment on other posts, post media, delete posts and who will be allowed to access the discussion board.
Discussion Boards are tools often associated with Learning Management Systems such as E-Learning at UF.
Discussion Boards
What are the educational uses and benefits?
Assessment:
- Allows instructors to assess class participation.
- Allows instructors to assess understanding of a concept or topic.
Classroom Environment:
- Use of discussion boards creates a classroom community.
- Often the discussion board discussions take the place of lectures. This creates a situation in which the instructor is viewed as a "guide on the side" rather than a "sage on the stage."
- Guest "speakers" can participate in question and answer sessions on discussion boards in asynchronous time.
- Gives students who might not otherwise participate a safe environment to voice opinions.
Collaboration:
- Students can participate in groups to present on a topic.
- Students can collaborate to present and defend an argument.
Discussion Boards
Can I see an example?
View a brief picture slide show of Discussion Boards in E-Learning (WebCT).
View a brief tutorial on how to navigate through a discussion board using E-Learning (WebCT)
Discussion Boards
How do I get started?
Discussion Boards are tools associated with Learning Management Systems such as E-Learning at UF. Discussion Boards can also exist on Websites in the form of threaded discussion forums.
To utilize a discussion board the moderator (in this case the instructor)
- Creates a new discussion board
- Creates a thread for the discussion
- Sets the parameters for the discussion board such as whether or not participants will be allowed to create new threads, post anonymously, change their post once it has been posted, comment on other posts, post media, delete posts and who will be allowed to access the discussion board.
- The moderator then may or may not monitor the discussion board for proper posts, to post feedback, and so on.
Discussion Boards can be utilized in a number of ways including:
- Announcements
- Ask an Expert
- To approximate a Blog
- Brainstorming
- Communication
- Case Study evaluation
- Collaborative/Peer Editing
- Debate
- Discussion
- Group Critiques
- Group Work
- Asynchronous Office Hours
- Polls
- Presentations
- Posting Reflection Papers for discussion
- Posting Research Papers for discussion
- Response Groups
- Role Model Interviews
- Asynchronous Role Play
- Self Evaluation
- Surveys
- Team Analysis
- Posting Written Essays for discussion
- To approximate a Wiki
Discussion Boards
Where can I learn more?
- Blackboard –Discussion Boards: A video on the discussion board tools available in the Blackboard Learner and Content Management System.
- Ideas for Distance Learning: An article discussion various ideas for distance learning classrooms including as section on discussion boards.
- Online Discussion Boards PDF: An article discussing using interaction in online discussion boards.
- Using Discussion in the Classroom: A list of articles, links, and resources regarding discussion in the distance education classroom.
- Using Discussion Boards in Teaching: An article on student behavior in online forms and practical suggestions for the instructor.
- Wikipedia - Discussion Board: Detailed description and examples of discussion boards and internet forums.
For information on similar tools visit:
For information on how to utilize discussion boards visit:
