OLC: Discussion Boards That Don’t Suck

Discussion boards have so much potential for creating meaningful engagement in online learning, but too often, they fall flat. They’re repetitive, surface-level, and feel more like a box to check than an opportunity for meaningful growth and real interaction.

This webinar will examine why discussion boards often miss the mark and, more importantly, how to make them better. We will explore common pitfalls as well as practical strategies and examples for designing reimagined discussion activities. We will showcase some of the examples and templates created during the workshop at the OLC Accelerate conference.

By the end of the webinar, you’ll walk away with practical examples and a fresh inspiration for designing discussion boards that are engaging and valuable for both students and instructors.

Intended audience: 
This webinar is perfect for educators, instructional designers, and administrators who want to make discussion boards a more engaging and meaningful part of online learning.

Key takeaways:

• Rethink the purpose of discussion boards by identifying common design issues that limit participation and learning
• Consider how small design changes can improve the quality of student interaction
• Explore practical and creative strategies to facilitate engagement and dialogue
• Walk away with new discussion board activities

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