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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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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• Strategies for Engaging Discussions• Examples and Ratings of Facilitator Responses

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• Strategies for Engaging Discussions• Examples and Ratings of Facilitator Responses

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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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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?