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EIU D2L Solutions

Discussion Best Practices

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Best Practices for Using Discussions

  • Ensure that there are discussion topics created for your discussion forum(s)
    Forums are used to group topics into predetermined themes, course units, etc. You can only post in discussion topics. If there are no topics created for a forum, then students will not be able to participate in discussions.
    On the course home page, select "Communication" > "Discussions". Make sure that there are topics nested under the discussion forum. If you do not see topics nested under the discussion forum(s), you must create topics.
  • Ensure that discussion forums and topics are not unintentionally hidden
    The option to hide a discussion forum or topic is located on the "New Forum" or "New Topic" page (or the "Edit page" for existing forums and topics), in the Properties tab of the Availability section.
    If you selected "Hide this [topic or forum]", then learners are not able to see it. If a discussion forum has this setting enabled, all of the topics nested under it are also hidden.
  • Ensure that there are no unwanted date restrictions set for the discussion forum or topic
    Students cannot access topics that fall outside of set date restrictions. If a discussion forum has date restrictions attached, then all topics nested under it will be hidden outside of those date restrictions.
    The option to set date restrictions is located on the "New Forum" or "New Topic" page (or the "Edit page" for existing forums and topics), in the Properties tab of the Availability section. Select the Forum is visible for a specific date range check box, then fill out your start and end dates. If you want the forum or topic to be currently visible, ensure that the End Date has not passed yet and the Start Date has already begun; if you want it to be available at a later time, set the date restrictions accordingly.
    If you do not want date restrictions enabled, select [Forum/Topic] is always visible.
  • Ensure that the appropriate group restriction settings are applied
    If group restrictions are enabled for the discussion forum or topic, then only students within the group selected can see the discussion.
    The option to set group restrictions is located on the "New Forum" or "New Topic" page (or the "Edit page" for existing forums and topics), in the Restrictions tab of the Group and Section Restrictions section. Select Restrict this forum to the following groups and sections to enable group restrictions for a forum or topic.

 


Suggested Best Practices for Course Content Discussions

  • Create interesting discussion prompts and cues that promote peer exchange and feedback.
  • Discussions should encourage interaction between students rather than individual responses from the instructor.
  • Instructors should post when
    • Students are not following the assignment.
    • Students are dominating the discussion.
    • Students are not following the rules of netiquette.
    • A summary of the discussion thread is needed.

The written instructor guides and video simulations on the D2L Solutions site are developed and brought to you by the

Faculty Development and Innovation Center

phone 217-581-7051 :: email fdic@eiu.edu :: web www.eiu.edu/fdic 

Contact the FDIC for questions about the instructor guides, to suggest topics for new guides, or to schedule a consultation appointment.  The FDIC staff can recommend integration solutions using D2L and other instructional technologies for your online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses.


For Help with D2L Brightspace

Send your request for assistance to fdic_help@eiu.edu and an FDIC staff member will assist you.

Related Pages

Contact Information

Faculty Development and Innovation Center

1105 Booth Library
217-581-7051
fdic@eiu.edu


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