Online+Discussion+Boards

They are exactly what you think they are. Online discussion boards allow for an ongoing discussion to occur between multiple parties. Thought not all are fully threaded, most discussion boards use a threading format that allows for easy viewing of topics and relies. Some threads can go on for quite some time if there are disagreeing parties. As an aside, there are also Voice Boards available. These allow students to simply record a response verbally and post it. The replies will be threaded the same way to make following the line of discussion simpler. = = **How can I use them?**
 * What are they?**

= = Well, you would really use them much in the same way that you would hold a class discussion. Though they do not reinforce speaking skills the way an in-class discussion would, they substitute practice in writing and reading skills. The upside is that students that do not typically participate in class due to insecurities or shyness have more time to formulate and articulate their responses. The students are also forced to work on clarity and thoughtfulness in their responses, since their peers will call them out on it otherwise. -Consider posting a weekly topic related to the content of the week to which the students must respond. -Have an ongoing discussion that students will have to adjust and rethink as the content of your course unfolds. -Post video or audio content to which students must respond our page here.