An Online Discussion Forum Guideline: Win-Win-Win for Students, Instructors and the University Introduction: The Need for a Discussion Guideline Online Discussion Forums (ODF) are critical to learning and in engaging students. The quality and level of the engagement with students are considered to be strong differentiating factors among online programs. Further, the ODF is often weighted heavily in the evaluation of students; in Post University's Online MBA Program (PUOMP, accelerated 8 week modules), on average, approximately 40 percent of a student's final grade is determined based upon contribution to the ODF. In typical quality online accelerated programs, hundreds of substantive and relevant contributions are posted every week to ODFs. PUOMP is no exception to this; students and instructors have a significant amount of relevant academic information and practical work experience to share and discuss. Given PUOMP's asynchronous teaching model, students have time to reflect, research and support their postings with references and citations. Consequently, there is a rich volume of discussion content that needs to be managed and evaluated every week. Much of the discussion quality and end-value to students is facilitated by the instructor moderating and augmenting the ODF. When properly executed, the ODF constitutes a very time-consuming activity for the instructors. This load is shared at PUOMP by full-time faculty and adjunct instructors all of whom juggle myriad responsibilities. PUOMP's experienced adult students typically manage a balance between their work schedule and the accelerated education requirements. From their perspective, the ODFs are critical to their learning, and they need to be productive, relevant and efficient. The challenge that PUOMP has faced is how to provide students with the best possible ODF learning experience while keeping this task manageable for the course instructors. PUOMP has recently implemented an Online Discussion Guideline for all teaching staff, faculty and adjuncts, to help accomplish that balance. Goals Of ODF Guideline • Achieve consistency of ODF throughout the Online MBA Program by instituting a single reference guideline, common to all teaching staff • Support a culture of excellence and continuous improvement by encouraging all instructors to develop and share ODF 'Best Practices' • Provide students with an optimum ODF learning experience by integrating and harnessing the practical experience of the entire teaching staff • Assist instructors in achieving maximum productivity and efficiency • Promote PUOMP quality and differentiation among competing institutions by publicizing PUOMP's expectations on minimum requirements for ODF development and management Details of the ODF Guideline The ODF Guideline is divided into three operative sections: Develop Discussion Topics, Set Expectations for Discussions, and Manage the Discussions. • Develop discussion topics. Carefully design the ODF topics as integral components of the teaching units to promote student engagement, sharing and learning. • Set expectations for discussions. Communicate to students the emphasis on the ODF and clarify instructor commitment, expectations, and grading approach. • Manage the discussion board. Actively manage the ODF to demonstrate value, care and presence. A successful ODF does not typically occur serendipitously; developing desired topics and setting expectations are necessary pre-requisites. Each operative section above is divided into minimum requirements and best practices described below. Although many of the minimum requirements are typically within the responsibility of the course developers, all instructors are invited to develop, suggest and share best practices. This ODF Guideline is a living document, promoting the goals stated above. • Minimum requirements. Required minimum standards and actions from all instructors, promoting consistency across PUOMP. • Best practices. Suggested tested practices and behaviors which exceed the minimum requirements, promoting PUOMP excellence and differentiation. Presentation Objectives 1. Present the need for PUOMP's ODF Guideline and its goals and approach 2. Provide details of the minimum requirements employed and some of the suggested best practices 3. Discuss implementation, early feedback and outcomes
