Online Classes - Discussion Board Etiquette

Summary

Professor Kobe offers essential tips for maintaining netiquette on online discussion boards, emphasizing the importance of tone, following directions, avoiding procrastination, contributing substantively to discussions, and proofreading posts. He also encourages students to innovate by adding relevant multimedia to keep discussions engaging, while reminding them to gauge the classroom environment before doing so. This guidance aims to foster a respectful and productive academic discourse in the digital classroom.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be mindful of your tone on discussion boards, as they differ from social media platforms like Reddit or Twitter.
• 📚 Understand that the tone of your communication should reflect the academic setting and be appropriate for an educational forum.
• 👩‍🏫 Be politically correct and avoid playing the devil's advocate unless explicitly instructed to do so in the discussion board prompts.
• 🗣️ Consider the teacher's perspective and ensure communication is conducive to an environment where all students can learn and contribute.
• 🔍 Check your tone by reading your messages out loud in different tones to ensure they don't come off as aggressive or sarcastic.
• 📝 Follow the discussion board directions carefully, which may include multiple steps like required readings and initial responses.
• ⏳ Avoid procrastination by managing your time effectively and engaging in the discussion well before the deadline.
• 🤔 Add substance to your discussions by engaging with other students' posts and contributing meaningfully to the conversation.
• 👀 Remember to proofread your posts to ensure they are well-structured, clear, and free from errors.
• 🎨 Consider adding relevant and innovative elements like graphics, text links, or TED talks to enrich the discussion, if appropriate.
• 😉 Be aware of the class environment and teacher's preferences before introducing creative elements like memes to the discussion board.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Professor Kobe?

The main topic of the video is discussing netiquette for online discussion boards in an academic setting.

Why should students be mindful of their tone when participating in online discussion boards?

Students should be mindful of their tone to ensure communication reflects the academic forum, is respectful, and does not come off as aggressive, which can hinder learning and discussion.

What does Professor Kobe mean by 'digital migrants'?

By 'digital migrants,' Professor Kobe refers to individuals who did not grow up with digital technology and are not native to digital communication, including some teachers and students.

Why should students avoid playing the devil's advocate on discussion boards without specific instructions to do so?

Playing the devil's advocate without instructions can stir unnecessary conflict and distract from the academic discourse, which is meant for learning and idea exchange.

How can students check if their tone might be perceived as aggressive in an online discussion?

Students can check their tone by reading their messages out loud, having someone else read it, and trying to read it with a 'sassier' or 'pissed-off' tone to see if it could be misinterpreted.

What is the importance of following directions when participating in online discussion boards?

Following directions ensures that students address all required points, maximize their points, and contribute effectively to the academic discussion.

Why should students avoid procrastination when it comes to discussion board participation?

Avoiding procrastination allows students to engage in meaningful discussions, submit quality work, and not rush through the process, which can affect their learning and the quality of discourse.

What does Professor Kobe suggest students do to add substance to their discussion board responses?

Professor Kobe suggests students engage in the discussion, respond to other students' posts, and contribute meaningful insights rather than just agreeing or providing superficial responses.

Why is proofreading important before submitting a response on a discussion board?

Proofreading helps ensure the response does not come off as a rant, is well-structured, and adheres to the academic tone and netiquette expected in an online class.

What is the additional tip Professor Kobe gives for enhancing discussion board participation?

The additional tip is to consider being innovative by adding relevant graphics, text links, or other engaging content to make the discussion more interesting and informative for classmates.

How can students know if it's appropriate to add creative elements like memes to their discussion board posts?

Students can gauge the appropriateness by understanding the class environment and the teacher's preferences, and should avoid being offensive or sarcastic.