Introduction

For many online courses, discussion is a significant learning activity.  One new online teacher recently noted that in 20 years of teaching face-to-face discussion he never had the feeling that students understood the complicated content.  When he introduced online discussion, he observed wider participation among students with greater depth than he experienced in his face-to-face discussion.  He commented that for the first time, he felt like students actually read the book.

For this assignment, everyone will have the opportunity to lead an online discussion. Online discussions will be based on prior reading assignments and should elicit reflection.  Engaging the Online Learner has some wonderful models for online discussion activities. 

What to Do

1. Everyone will be assigned an online discussion to lead (to be noted on the schedule).  You may be asked to work with a partner.
2. For the week you are assigned to lead, choose a topic for online discussion based on the previous week's reading assignment or that week's assignment.
3. Create a discussion question or discussion activity.  Discussion is an opportunity for students to process what they have learned.  You want to choose a question or discussion activity that fosters interaction and/or higher-order thinking. 
4. Post instructions for your discussion activity within the topic created by your instructor.
5. Monitor and facilitate the discussion throughout the week.