An effective online discussion enables the online community to create knowledge in a social environment. A summary of the characteristics of a good online discussion are:

Have an Effective Moderator (person who initiates conversation...ie the blogger?)
Encourage users to introduce themselves
Create a Community of Practice

For a classroom environonment,you can also:
Clearly link criteria for an acceptable response with any grading criteria
Use user-friendly language and humour
Provide helpful directions for technical support
Keep the length of message short (75-150 words, for example)
Develop clear naming conventions (topic or subject lines to help you and students manage the messages-for example, include Message 1, Message 2, etc. in the name)
Lurkers are communicated with directly via personal e-mail

Lagging conversation is re-energised
Supportive e-mail is used by the moderator to supplement online discussion
Activities are designed in order to foster interdependency and weaving of ideas.
Develop directions that will lead users to think about the topics in a way that generates and demonstrates understanding.

Guest discussants are invited
Do provide an alternative space for very informal discussion (Gossip or Coffee Shop)


What do you think?

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