It used to be that the only way to participate in a class discussion was to raise your hand and speak publicly, asking a question or offering an opinion. The advent and increasing popularity of online degree programs have reinvented that format. An online program from Florida Institute of Technology prepares students to communicate effectively with fellow students and future employers.
Students now interact with peers and professors through email, online discussion boards, and topic-specific course forums, perhaps only coming face-to-face on graduation day. These types of discussions and virtual interaction can enhance the educational process for students who pay attention, participate and follow some simple guidelines.
1. Read Directions
Jody Thrash earned her MBA in Project Management 100% online from Florida Tech. Her biggest advice regarding the online discussion board is “to familiarize yourself with the requirements — know when, what and how much you are expected to post each week.”
Online courses include specific instructions from professors about what is expected from students, including the required length of responses. Students who write too little or too much can lose valuable points toward a final grade, and refining your ability to follow directions can improve your performance in jobs after graduation.
2. Offer Your Opinions
When offering an opinion in an online forum, students should support their position with valid facts from an identified source. That way, students responding to a particular position can cite the source in their rebuttal.
Don’t be afraid to offer a different point of view or constructive criticism to another student’s post. Individual perspectives are invaluable to the discussion process. Be confident when you share.
3. Start Early
Reading the required material in advance is essential. If you have a question for the professor, don’t wait until the day the discussion board assignment is due.
In addition, students who contribute to online discussions early, rather than waiting for a specific deadline, may be rewarded with a richer and more thought-provoking exchange. Florida Tech online instructor Jarin Eisenberg says that “the medium through which the education is delivered does not change a basic principle; as a student, you must be prepared and proactive.
4. Write Professionally
Online students must work to overcome the informality of a computer screen and initiate communication with an instructor or peer if they don’t understand an assignment. Much of how we communicate online, particularly in social media, is more casual than the standards of the professional world.
Although being friendly to your classmates and professors is a good thing in an online forum, maintaining decorum is also crucial. Students should avoid using common abbreviations found in text messages as well as posts and threads on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Professors expect students to communicate as if in a business environment, Eisenberg says. The use of abbreviations, emoticons and other truncated forms of communication may alienate and confound some students, so stick with complete sentences that are properly punctuated and spell-checked for accuracy.
5. Don’t Overdo It
Students should edit themselves to avoid dominating an online discussion or drawing it out unnecessarily. Responses should be succinct and relevant to the issue being discussed. It is also important to be aware of how your words might be perceived on a screen compared to in-person interactions.
Online communication lacks the context conveyed by tone, voice and body language. Think before you type and pause before you post.
6. Recognize Different Perspectives
Another potential pitfall in an online forum is the failure to recognize and respect varied viewpoints. After all, students from across the U.S. and around the world may be participating in a virtual discussion board.
Be mindful and avoid using profane, discriminatory or religious commentary that could offend and alienate classmates and instructors. In the same sense, students should avoid confrontational statements and refrain from getting drawn into heated back-and-forth arguments.
7. Incorporate Outside Resources
Online discussion forums can help students expand their knowledge of a particular topic by encouraging them to think critically and conduct independent research. Jody Thrash advises tapping into Florida Tech’s online library for resources such as peer-reviewed journals, magazine articles and books. “Knowing how to access, cite and utilize this tool is of the utmost importance,” she says.
Often, discussion topics relate to current events or students’ personal life experiences. When relevant, incorporating such sources into a response can generate additional discussion. Outside resources are invaluable for providing differentiated perspectives that one may not necessarily see from just reading the text.
Get Involved Online Today at Florida Tech
Now that you understand the essential tips to keep in mind for online discussion boards, the next step is to get started with an online program. Whether pursuing an undergraduate degree like a Bachelor of Arts in accounting or a master’s program from an MBA to a Master of Science in computer information systems program, Florida Tech provides students with the support they will need from the point of applying to graduation.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online degree programs.
