1.4 Discussion Tips

Three students having a pleasant discussion, all on laptops

Discussions in this Class

Discussion boards are used in this class as one of the primary ways for you to communicate and interact with your classmates. 

I will also participate in our discussions! I won't reply to every single post, but I will be following the conversation and jumping in here and there to add my own thoughts. 

Tips for Digging Deeper

Here are a few tips to deepen our conversations:

  1. Share your own personal experiences as they relate to the topic. Make connections to your own background and culture.
  2. Identify and discuss your opinion and describe why you agree or disagree with a classmate.
  3. Share reputable sites, books, or articles that pertain to the topic.
  4. Add a different viewpoint, with specific examples or evidence.

Tips for Respectful Engagement

  • Avoid sarcasm. People who don't know you may misinterpret your meaning.
  • Use appropriate language.
  • Avoid "flaming" (online "screaming") or sentences typed in all caps.
  • Be courteous to the other students in the class. You might find it helpful to read your posting out loud before you submit it: "Tone" is a very important part of online communication. When you read your message out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
  • Never make derogatory comments toward another person in the class.
  • You can disagree with ideas, but do not make personal attacks.

Optional, Additional Guidance

If you've never used Canvas discussions, you may find the following 3-minute video helpful. It demonstrates how to view, reply to, and edit discussion posts.

Note: To view captions for this video, click the "toggle captions" icon on the bottom toolbar. If you prefer to read, a text transcript Links to an external site. is also available.

 

 

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