Engaging in Discussions

Online discussions in this course are considered an important learning activity because it offers everyone a chance to contribute their thoughts about the content we are studying as well as reflect on the ideas of others in the class.

Engaging in a healthy discussion while empolying Netiquette builds community, allows students time to consider ideas and incorporate research into their response, and develops critical thinking and writing skills necessary for success at the post secondary level and beyond.

It is important that each student cultivates an atmosphere of respect in both Primary Posts (your initial thoughts about the topic) and Secondary Posts (your responses to your classmates’ Primary Posts).

Although there are minimum word counts and posts expected to earn full credit, your posts should encourage a discussion, a back and forth exchange of ideas, that should strive to extend beyond the minimum requirements.

TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS

Edudemic’s 5 Online Discussion Tips For Students

Saint Paul University’s Online Discussions: Tips for Students

University of Waterloo’s Online Discussions: Tips for Students

THE PRIMARY POST

When developing your Primary Post, consider the topic of the discussion and incorporate what you learned about the topic in the module readings, videos, learning activities, etc.

Strong Primary Posts should reflect not only your thoughts but also synthesize the content to support your ideas, generally through citing the authors, their works, and the pages/paragraphs that resonated most with you. You may also choose to incorporate ideas from outside the required content, just be sure to cite all sources appropriately, such as by using a reference citation, hyperlinks, or pasting the URLs to the content.

THE SECONDARY POST

When developing your Secondary Posts, restate what your classmate has said about the discussion prompt to show you understand what they are saying, and then follow up with your own ideas and reflections about how their ideas impacted you.

Strong Secondary Posts should show how you’ve considered the ideas of others and extended them into your own thoughtful consideration.

What is Netiquette?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:

Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is Plagiarism).
Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack.
Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.

Through an online learning experience you will be providing feedback to peers. It is especially important to think, "Would I use the same tone and words if I were speaking to this person face-to-face?"

Netiquette Reading

The following document provides additional information about Netiquette:

Excerpt from Virginia Shea's The Core Rules of Netiquette

Social Media Etiquette

Review this video to learn about Social Media Etiquette:

http://youtu.be/dNnLMkg9R3c