The document discusses strategies for keeping students engaged in online course discussions. It recommends a three-pronged approach of preparing students, getting discussions started, and maintaining momentum. Specific techniques include assigning roles, limiting posting lengths, acknowledging contributions, using discussion protocols, and giving students responsibilities like summarizing discussions. The goal is to make discussions meaningful and equitable while avoiding them becoming tedious busywork.

1. Say What?!? Ensuring Everyone has a Voice during Online Course Discussions Joni Dunlap & Patrick Lowenthal, UCD COLTT 2009

4. Three-Pronged Approach

8. Soundtrack of Your Life

9. Virtual Paper Bag

12. Neil Postman once wrote, “Computers are merely ingenious devices to fulfill unimportant functions. The computer revolution is an explosion of nonsense.” Do you agree or disagree with Postman? Neil Postman once wrote, “Computers are merely ingenious devices to fulfill unimportant functions. The computer revolution is an explosion of nonsense.” Why do you think Postman wrote this? What evidence do you believe he would reference to support his perspective? What would you say to change his mind, or at least present an alternative perspective? What is your viewpoint, and why?

22. Give Learners Responsibilities Other ideas?

24. “ If she wants two posts a week, I’ll give her two posts a week.”

25. A-Ha Points...

28. Summary Scripting

29. Summary Clouds

31. Thank you