HOW I USE DISCUSSION BOARDS

ON BLACKBOARD

Nadine BezukSchool of Teacher Education

How I Use Discussion Boards on Blackboard Nadine Bezuk

School of Teacher Education

Reasons I Use Discussion Boards:• Increasing student engagement• Motivating students to read assigned material• Pre-assessing students’ understanding

Types of Discussion Board Prompts I’ve Used:1.Getting to know each other2.General summary of reading assignment3.Focused discussion of reading assignment4.Group discussions

What I Plan to Try Next:• More focused discussion boards• Add mini-assessments/quizzes to Discussion Boards

REASONS I USE DISCUSSION BOARDS Increase student engagement Motivate students to read assigned

material Pre-assess students’ understanding

TYPES OF DISCUSSION BOARD PROMPTS I’VE USED1. Getting to know each other2. General summary of reading

assignment3. Focused discussion of reading

assignment4. Group discussion

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER Purpose:

Help students become familiar with the nuts and bolts of using the Discussion Board.

Provide a preliminary introduction to other students. Sample Prompts

This discussion will help us get to know each other while we practice using the Discussion Board. By 9 am on XXX, you should:1. Respond to ONE of the prompts below, and2. Comment on at least ONE classmate’s postings.

(see handout for additional instructions) My favorite hobby is . . . My favorite sport to WATCH is . . . My favorite sport to PLAY is . . . My favorite place to vacation is . . . My favorite food is . . . My pet likes to . . . [Open Category]

GENERAL SUMMARY OF READING ASSIGNMENTS Purpose:

Motivate students to read the assigned readings and reflect on important information.

Provide me with a pre-assessment of students’ understanding of this topic. 

Sample Prompt Read chapter 6. Then log-in to the Discussion Board at

least twice by 11 pm on XXX to complete the following:

Part One:--Start a new thread labeled with your name,--List at least 2 points or topics from the chapter that you found interesting, and explain why, and--List at least 1 question that you have, point that you're uncertain about, or thing you’d like to learn more about.

Part Two:--Respond to at least two classmates’ responses to Part One.

FOCUSED DISCUSSION OF READING ASSIGNMENTS Purpose:

Motivate students to read the assigned readings and reflect on important information.

Provide me with a pre-assessment of students’ understanding of this topic. 

Sample Prompt Instructions: Watch the “Place-value Centers” video. Then

select 2 of the questions below and post your responses by 11 PM on XXX.

Place-value Centers Question 1: How did the calendar activity help students develop an understanding of place value? Describe the long-term nature of the calendar activity and the benefits it has for students' learning.

Place-value Centers Question 2: The informal place-value language used by teachers varies. What language did Ms. Vigstrom use? Describe the differences in how children might understand these words.

GROUP DISCUSSION Purpose:

Motivate students to read the assigned readings and reflect on important information.

Motivate students to interact with each other.Provide me with a pre-assessment of

students’ understanding of this topic. 

I use these when teaching larger classes, so that students feel that they’re discussing the topic with a smaller group of fellow students. I usually use the same prompts, but the smaller number of participants in each group supports strong interactions among participants.

WHAT I PLAN TO TRY NEXT More focused discussion boards Add mini-assessments/quizzes to

Discussion Boards

WHAT HAVE YOU USED? HOW HAS IT WORKED?