Discussion Forum Considerations
- You'll want to find out if students have access to computers outside of class before requiring that work is completed on online.
- Decide how you'll evaluate writing on discussion forums (as class participation, as homework ...). If you don't provide incentive for using the forum, fewer students will write substantial comments
- Know that some students may lose sight of the "academic context" and offer inappropriate comments on the forum (For example, a student may use the class forum as a way to express criticisms of the course when he/she should address such concerns with you in a less public context). Be sure to establish appropriate guidelines for using discussion forums. Also, inform students of any expectations you have