Discussion forums in online courses can easily be lifeless, dull and places where students simply fulfil the requirements of the task and nothing more. Flower Darby’s short webinar from November 2021 explains how the discussion forum can be where the teaching happens.
Assuming the pre-requisites of a well-structured course in which learners feel safe to share, this explains how learners can draw more out of each other and the tutor through the posing of relevant questions as part of their post. In Darby’s larger classes she chooses which posts to respond to strategically. I usually have smaller groups where I can respond to all and therefore I do not need to be so strategic. The effect of this strategy probably makes the difference between a good course and a fantastic online course.