Spring 2022 #2

Michelle Phifer

Key Takeaways from

"4 Advantages of Digital Discussions in the Classroom"

1.Today, students' use of digital tools are at an all time high. They are on phones and computers for most of their awake time during a day. Taking advantage of this fact and using digital platforms in the classroom can help teachers connect to today's students.

2. Discussion boards provide the interactive format for students to be able to "tell stories" and use their creativity. This format also allows a student that is shy or more introverted to feel as if he/she is heard and takes away the fear of having to stand in front of a room full of their peers to do so.

3. I think an important piece of this article is that each digital forum does not have to be graded. It can and should be used as an area for students/teachers to interact without a fear that it will hurt their grade. As stated in the article, it also provides a resource that is easy to access for later referrals and test preparation.

1. I had not considered that discussion boards do not have to be grade based. I absolutely can see how negative scores for students who may struggle with conveying thoughts through writing can deter them from participating.

2.Digital portfolios are a great way to bring students’ learning online. Using digital discussions can increase how much support for learning you can create for students. It’s not as heavy or time consuming as a project with research and creation. I like the option of using discussions as a part of a portfolio.

3.Using digital discussions to foster student-led learning is a new way of seeing a simple question. For me, I saw it as more work, but after reading the article I see how the students take control of their learning during discussions.

J. Blake

1. Discussion boards provide a way for students to share their perspective and understanding of class material without the pressure of being graded.

2. Discussion boards can be saved in a platform, like Blackboard or Canvas, for students to use for review and to remember material at exam time.

3. Students learn to disagree and respond to each other appropriately in the virtual environment.

Heather Sullivan

Takeaways from Edutopia article.

1. Discussion board can couple with class PowerPoint to develop media literacy. Consistently using discussion board in daily teaching can develop students' appropriate behaviors in committing.

2. Discussion board don't have to be grade-based. It should be a place for students to freely discuss the content and for teachers to freely check the students' understanding. Grade based discussion will bring the pressure and fear of grading.

3. Students can frequently access to the discussion board to review the materials and ask for help. It can be used as a digital portfolio.

Yan Liu

Takeaways from Edutopia article: 4 Advantages to Digital Discussions

1. Discussion boards present students with an opportunity to prepare for a future that is continuing to evolve digitally.

2. Discussion boards create a digital portfolio of units that learners can turn to for review. Not only do discussion boards allow students to track their understanding throughout a unit, but when boards are used in a system that stores user content (such as Canvas or Blackboard), students can access information when they need to review for exams or refresh their memory on concepts presented.

3. The virtual discussion board works as a digital poster board for students to share ideas and connections.

Edgar Coronado

Give three takeaways from the Edutopia article.

Post your first and last name at the bottom of your sticky note.

Elizabeth Joyce