1. Topic 5: Facilitating Discussions
Your course may include online discussions. As you
know from your experience, it is important to facilitate
discussions so as to encourage active participation,
feedback, and dialogue.
Respond to each participant at
least once so they see that you
notice and appreciate their
participation.
Keep track on your Facilitator’s Attendance Sheet to
avoid inadvertently neglecting to respond to anyone.
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2. Topic 5: Facilitating Discussions
Following are brief, helpful tips and strategies to keep in
mind. Click to visit them. They will open in a new
window. When you are done, close the window and
return here.
• Ten Tips for Effective Online Facilitation
Ten Tips for Effective Online Facilitation
• Strategies for Engaging Discussions
• Examples and Ratings of Facilitator Responses
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3. Topic 5: Facilitating Discussions
Next, go to the Facilitating Discussions forum.
• Keeping in mind the material covered in this topic,
reflect on the following:
– How might online discussion forums enhance the
teaching and learning environment?
– What are some pitfalls of online discussion
forums?
– What can you do as facilitator in order that a
sense of community may exist, and productive
social interaction can occur in the discussions?
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4. Topic 5: Facilitating Discussions
• If you’ve participated in an online discussion before,
think of possible contributing factors for your
responses to the following:
– What were some positive aspects of your
experience?
– What were some negative aspects?
– What was your level of connection with the other
participants in the discussion group?
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