How to Design Effective Online Discussion Boards

In this session, I will describe how to design, moderate, and grade effective online discussion boards. University students often report that they do not feel discussion boards are useful and that they would not participate if they were optional. I will describe the approach used in an asynchronous USU Online Practical Teacher Training (OPTT) course, including specific components and strategies incorporated to increase active student engagement and increase connection between students in an online course. Student feedback obtained through an anonymous survey conducted at the end of the semester will be presented. Students rated various components of the discussion boards and provided narrative responses to benefits of participating in the discussion boards and suggestions for improving the discussion boards