Given that discussion board posts are written, you must ensure that everything you post is professional, well-considered, and substantive, as your grades depend on it.
Wondering how to write a discussion post? Here are six strategies to help you distinguish yourself in your online course.
Understand the Prompt
Preparation is crucial. Before beginning your research paper, read the discussion post prompts and guidelines carefully. Consult libraries, course materials, eBooks, and other online resources to become well-versed in the issue so that you can take a position and offer a convincing argument.
Keeping track of all relevant external sources is vital since you will be asked to include them in your discussion post response. The more research you conduct, the more substantial your post and subsequent answers will be.
Refer to the Scoring Rubric
Every online forum should have a scoring rubric. You can always ask for it if you haven’t received it, even if most teachers provide it beforehand.
After obtaining the rubric, the trick is to work backward. Read the grading rubric carefully and comprehend how you will be graded. Your post should emphasize the requirements for earning the best marks.
From critical analysis and writing quality to class participation and etiquette, the online discussion grading rubric considers all of these factors.
Before submitting, ensure that your discussion board posts contain all necessary components.
Present Evidence and Examples
Just as you are instructed to support your claims when writing essays, you should also do so while replying to a discussion post.
Every assertion you make must be supported by solid evidence and examples. Utilizing evidence in your arguments enhances them and allows you to make your point more persuasively.
Statistical, anecdotal, documentary or even the results of your research or survey are examples of various evidence you can use.
Ensure that you use quotations when expressing evidence and accurately cite the original sources. You can also rewrite a piece of text on your own terms by paraphrasing it.
Draft the Answer before Posting
Many students make the error of instantly composing their post on the portal and clicking “send.” Call it self-assurance or laziness; either way, this strategy is unwise.
Before replying to discussion posts examples, preparing them in a text editor is a good idea. This allows you to evaluate the flow of your writing, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure that you’ve covered all the main elements. Pay great attention to your words and tone of speech.
Discussion posts may resemble participation in internet forums, but they are an academic type of writing that requires professionalism.
Express Yourself Clearly
You may believe that creating lengthy discussion responses will get you noticed, but this is not the case. The most important aspects of your post are its quality and the information you provide, regardless of its length.
In online classes, second chances to explain yourself are quite rare. Therefore, it is essential to communicate with maximum clarity in the first instance. How do you accomplish this?
Before writing:
1) Begin by arranging your collection of ideas.
2) Use straightforward language with precision, and keep to answering the question.
3) Ensure that you avoid reiterating yourself and going in circles.
Respond on time
Every conversation has a time limit. You don’t want to be one of the last to comment, to have nothing distinctive to contribute, and to be buried beneath all the other posts; all of these factors might negatively affect your scores.
Consequently, as soon as you are asked to submit a discussion post, you should get to work and strive to be among the first few to submit the post. After posting your response, you can focus on responding to others and expanding upon their ideas.
According to Brian Redmond, a senior lecturer in the psychology department at Penn State, late participation does not result in a severe and useful discussion, defeating the goal of online course discussion forums.
How to Respond to a discussion board posts
Responding to your classmates’ discussion contributions is essential to online learning. Your response will influence your grades and the impression you wish to make.
Remember that this is a dialogue. Students are not expected to present their respective arguments and then stay silent. You are expected to advance the topic productively by generating new points of view and introducing novel perspectives.
Here are four considerations when writing online discussion responses.
Be Respectful
In the same way, you are expected to be kind and respectful in any public forum; the same is true for an online classroom.
From not taking differences personally and replying to them nicely to adopting professional, academic language as opposed to slang, jargon, and emoticons, it is crucial to respect the ideas of others and the medium when interacting.
Before posting anything controversial, consider whether you would say the same thing in person; if not, it’s preferable to leave it out. You must respect the gender, culture, sexual orientation, and religious views of others.
Another easy but essential lesson to remember is to avoid using ALL CAPS, as it comes across as impolite and appears as if you are screaming.
Make it Meaningful
First, it is unacceptable to say something like “I absolutely agree with you!” or “Good post.” This is not a culture that praises one another. Instructors are interested in your unique perspective, and you must be able to present a convincing argument supported by considerable evidence.
Even if a classmate has posted something you agree with, you can begin your response by stating your agreement and then adding your unique perspective or relating it to your personal experience by providing discussion board posts reply examples. You cannot be a yes-man or a passive observer; you must consider methods to advance the debate.
Given the nature of the medium, feel free to include a video, audio clip, or link to support your case.
Write in Context
As you elaborate on your agreement or disagreement, keep it contextual and draw connections to your course syllabus and what you’ve studied. It’s a good idea to specify which portion of your classmate’s post you’re reacting to, as it clarifies things for everyone.
Numerous students have a propensity for creating lengthy posts that provide no real value. This is merely a distraction and an unnecessary read. You should avoid being that student.
Therefore, when composing a response, it should be contextualized and relevant to the prompt and topic of debate. Points are awarded only for thoughtful and helpful discussion board responses, not length.
Ask Questions
Always conclude your response with a curious, open-ended question that advances the conversation. You can ask a thoughtful inquiry to comprehend the reasoning behind someone’s explanation, or you can ask a follow-up question to have a classmate clarify their response.
Questions demonstrate real engagement with the discussion and a desire to move it forward. Consequently, your questions should inspire critical thought and bring value. For more information, check out our blog on how to write discussion questions.
Conclusion
Remember that your conversation postings and responses are monitored and will affect your grade.
To generate a great impression and stand out, you must publish well-written, innovative, and insightful posts. This includes conducting qualitative research and writing posts in a proper format. Read our article on how to post on the discussion board posts for more information.
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