I am so glad you are here because it is time for me to get some things off my chest. Well, I guess there are not multiple things but more so, a collective dedicated to one issue.
Are you ready?
Here it is.
I abhor discussion board forums in online courses. It does not matter whether I am teaching an asynchronous or a synchronous course, I do NOT use discussion board forums beyond the introductory activity during the first week of class.
I am sharing this perspective as a zealous distance education lecturer for 16.5 years and as a graduate student who took three years of asynchronous courses for my Ph.D. program.
Honestly, I have never met anyone who ENJOYS discussion board forums in their online courses as a student or an instructor. But, for some reason, we (by “we”, I mean distance education faculty) continue to use them as an instructional approach. Why is that?
Things that make you go…hmmm.
Well, after toiling over reading and responding to discussion board posts for several years, early in my career, I decided to free my students and free myself. And, I have not looked back ever since.
So, with that bias upfront and center, I am still committed to looking at discussion board forums in the best light hoping to find some ray of sunshine as I present this battle of Discussion Frameworks VERSUS Discussion Boards. I hope you will ride me through this audio series and then make a decision for yourself. If in the end, you are still rocking with discussion boards, so be it, but I am warning you. I am going to do everything in my power to convince you to pivot and jump on this discussion framework express train.
Now, I decided to jump-off this series with an overview that used to be on this site when it was completely devoted to the LTVD, my most favorite discussion framework. I would be honored if you would grab a beverage and hang out with me for a little while (about 26 minutes). I want to share how the LTVD became my favorite framework, why it is so powerful, how it benefits you and how it enhanced the learning experience for your students.
Is that alright?
If so, “have a listen” as someone used to say (I can’t remember who it was), but I like it. Leave a comment here or over on YouTube. I would love for you to share your thoughts. Please know that this audio was recorded in 2018 but it is so juicy and so thorough that I had to share the entire thing with you.