The Power of Discussion Boards in Online and Remote Education

Sandra L. Guzman-Foster, Ph.D. Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, University of the Incarnate Word

Recently, I attended an educational summit where one of the keynotes shared the following insight about today’s college students; they are the loneliest generation. Considering what we have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not surprised to hear this statement. The pandemic forced students to be confined and isolated despite the many social media tools available. If this occurs on traditional campuses nationwide, what does it mean for students who choose to attend higher education via online or remote learning?

There are many reasons why students choose to attend higher education via an online or remote learning program. The reasons for these programs are diverse and multifaceted. Students may choose to attend college for the flexibility, access to a broader range of programs, cost-effectiveness and the ability to balance work and school. Additionally, the development of digital skills, health and safety considerations and opportunities for global networking make online and remote education an attractive option for many learners.

One tool highly utilized for online and remote learning is discussion boards (DBs), a feature found in many learning management systems (LMS). In fact, discussion boards are a crucial element when it comes to online and remote learning. This feature offers multiple benefits that enhance the learning experience. By fostering social presence, building a sense of community, improving student learning, creating connections to course content and assessing understanding, discussion boards can transform online classes into vibrant learning communities.

Why Discussions in Discussion Boards?

First, discussion boards create a social presence by enabling students to present themselves as real people behind the screens. This social presence is vital for reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing engagement. Two, when students regularly interact in discussion boards, they develop a sense of belonging and community. This connection can motivate them to participate more actively and support each other’s learning. Third, engaging in discussions helps students deepen their understanding of course material, improving their learning. It encourages students to think critically, articulate their thoughts and consider different perspectives. Fourth, discussion boards allow students to relate course content to their experiences, promoting meaningful learning. These connections help students see the relevance of their studies to real-world contexts. Finally, discussion boards help gauge students’ comprehension of the material. By reviewing posts, faculty can identify areas where students excel or need additional support.

However, when one mentions discussion boards, we don’t always get the excitement we hope to see. Typical use of discussion boards requires text responses. A common structure for discussion boards includes something like students submitting an initial post of a specified length by a certain day of the week, often by 11:59 p.m. Then students are required to respond to a set number of classmates’ posts, also of a specified length, by another specified day.

“By fostering social presence, building a sense of community, improving student learning, creating connections to course content and assessing understanding, discussion boards can transform online classes into vibrant learning communities.”

Although this strategy has its benefits, we must keep in mind the many reasons why we should use discussion boards. Discussion boards teach students how to listen, collaborate and work with others. They offer a unique opportunity for students to be heard without needing to raise their hands and wait to be called on. When implemented thoughtfully, discussion boards allow students to think carefully about their contributions and engage more deeply with their peers’ ideas. Students bring a variety of learning styles to all course formats. Text-based discussion boards may work for some students, but not all students. Here are several alternatives to traditional text-based discussions to engage students.

One alternative is to provide opportunities for students to select when they want to post an initial response. Rather than having all students respond to the discussion prompt each week, divide students into groups. For instance, Group 1 responds to the prompt, while Groups 2-4 respond to Group 1’s posts. This method can reduce redundancy and promote more meaningful interactions.

A second alternative is to provide opportunities for students to present identified course material and respond with videos. In other words, students can sign up to present chapters from the course textbook, readings, etc. They create and post video presentations for their initial posts and non-presenting students respond to these videos. This approach adds a personal touch and helps students recall key concepts creatively.

A third alternative is to provide opportunities for students to lead discussion boards. Students could be randomly assigned to lead a discussion board for each week and would be required to create a prompt. They can make the prompt engaging by making connections to current events, post a picture or a visual that extends meaning to the prompt, create a video, etc. to get their peers to think deeply about each prompt.

A fourth alternative is to use a tool like Padlet. With Padlet, students can create and respond to multimedia posts on a virtual bulletin board. This method supports rich media integration and interactive collaboration. Padlets can help students engage with each other, gauge understanding and practice questioning. It enables them to see and interact with each other’s posts, fostering a more dynamic and visually engaging learning environment.

For these alternative options, I highly recommend that faculty help students learn how to ask clarifying and probing questions. Asking such questions in discussion boards is an essential practice. These types of questions promote deeper understanding, critical thinking, engagement and collaboration among students.

At their best, discussions challenge students to develop critical thinking skills, weigh evidence, ask questions and reach conclusions. Creating a comfortable environment for engagement is crucial for meaningful discussions. While text-based discussion boards are effective, incorporating varied methods like video presentations, selective responses and multimedia platforms like Padlet can enrich the learning experience, preventing redundant or superficial interactions.

By thoughtfully designing and implementing discussion boards, faculty can maximize their potential to create engaging, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating online learning environments. Faculty-to-student and student-to-student connections will occur organically, providing opportunities for building relationships that help ease any loneliness some students may be experiencing.