Let's Talk! Getting the most out of the discussion

If you are the type of student who went to class just to be able to catch up on the news and you organized study groups so you and your classmates could talk over what was going on in class, then the discussion activities are for you!

Our course designers have posted questions they hope will launch discussions about the topics covered in the lessons or in the class.

If world events get worked into the discussion somehow, that's cool, too!

Most of the discussion questions ask about how you would apply what is being learned or your opinion on a topic. There are no right or wrong answers. It's a chance for you to reflect on how what you have learned applies to you. It makes the learning more personal.

Participating in the discussions also gives you a chance to share what you know or your own experiences with the subject matter. If you have an example from your own life, share it with your classmates. Sometimes an example you share may be just the thing a classmate needs to make the lesson content really click.

The instructors at Lifetime to Learn have been taught ways to help encourage discussion since we consider this a valuable way to learn. One technique that you can use is to end each post with a question. This will give others a chance to reflect and to participate and can open up new areas of discussion that may serve as a launching point for deeper learning and understanding.

What other value do you think discussions can bring to an online class?

posted by Winona Winslow @ 6:21 PM