Active Online Discussion Facilitation - A Behavioral Model Approach
Channel: Melissa Childers
Date: 2019-12-04

In this approach, the instructor models desired discussion behaviors: restating, asking clarifying questions, identifying patterns, and playing devil's advocate to name a few (teaching presence). Early in the course, the instructor models appropriate academic discourse as a peer-model in the discussion. This approach encourages participation and teaches students how to further an academic discussion, how to question a point of view respectfully, and how to reach a resolution through discourse. As students respond to and adopt these behaviors, the instructor may reduce modeling.