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1. Say Something Substantial
What Constitutes a Substantial Posting?
Each posting should effectively drive conversation and motivate the other members of
the group to think more deeply about the topic being discussed. To accomplish this goal,
it is essential that teachers make their expectations for student responses clear before
initiating online conversations or activities. If students understand why they are being
asked to do something, they are more likely to do it.
Explain that this classroom site is a forum for them to engage in conversations, activities,
and collaboration. If they actively participate in the online forum, it will support and
strengthen their understanding of the curriculum.
It is important that the students feel that the online forum is their space and, as such, it
is crucial that each member of the class/group take an active role in ensuring a high
quality of discussion.
Review the following with your students prior to their first interactions in the online
classroom site.
A substantial posting will do the following:
• Present a new question for discussion to broaden, refine, or redirect the
conversation.
• Discuss a personal experience (i.e. memory, interaction, person, class, book, etc.)
that has influenced your perception of a given topic. Provide specific details about
where your ideas, beliefs, opinions, etc. come from to support your statements.
• Think outside the box or play devil’s advocate (respectfully, of course). Providing
another point of view on a topic being discussed can be both interesting and
enlightening, effectively sparking further discussion.
• Ask your peers for clarification on ideas that you do not clearly understand. Your
peers are your best resources.
• Make connections between the discussions taking place in the classroom forum to
information learned in other classes and subject areas. Connecting what you are
learning to past knowledge or experiences will strengthen your retention of that
information.
Go to www.CollaborizeClassroom.com for more information

2. Say Something Substantial
• Share a resource that you have used that has been helpful for you. Use the
attachment feature to share images, documents, and videos that will add to the
conversation.
• Summarize the main ideas being discussed or presented in your own words to
ensure you have a strong grasp of the central concepts. This will support your
peers learning as well.
• Comment thoughtfully and respectfully on the ideas, experiences, and questions
presented by your peers. The more you engage with your peers, the more
meaningful the conversations will be for everyone involved.
Catlin Tucker is an English teacher at Windsor High School and has worked in Sonoma County for nine years. She
currently teaches 9th and 10th grade English and has previously taught 11th grade Advanced Placement English. She also
teaches online college research writing courses through Axia College.
Catlin earned her B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Single Subject English
Credential and Education Masters from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her Masters in Education focused on
creating and maintaining a safe space in the classroom to lower the affective filter and create a more supportive and
effective learning environment.
She is currently part of the Collaborize Team, designing resources for the education market.
Go to www.CollaborizeClassroom.com for more information