Writing substantive online discussion posts does not have to be difficult. By substantive, I mean that online posts should contribute to the discussion by providing thought-provoking ideas for consideration. In the end, you’ll end up with a better grade.
Substantive initial postings must answer the discussion question directly and completely as well as make some contribution to the topic at hand. Response postings such as “I agree” or “Good job” with no elaboration are not considered substantive. Instead, explain why you agree or disagree. Elaborate, expand and engage. Below are some strategies to help you write a substantive post:
Writing Substantive Online Discussion Posts: Strategies for Success
Elaborate
- Comment on a point made by a fellow classmate – This is a great strategy because it shows your instructor that you are reflecting on and synthesizing what your peers have written.
- Consider an idea being discussed and offer a different perspective on it.
- Describe an interesting idea from the week’s reading, as it applies to the topic at hand, and explain what insights you gained from it.
- Link your post to course content.
- Provide examples from your professional and personal life experiences.
Expand
- Share a related experience or comment on others’ experiences.
- Ask a thoughtful question.
- Solicit comments/opinions from your fellow classmates about your own post.
- Share another resource or provide an additional piece of information. Consider links to external articles and/or resources.
Engage
- Disagree (respectfully) or play the devil’s advocate with a peer.
- Make connections. Look for similar ideas or experiences among your classmates’ postings and draw conclusions.
- Acknowledge all responses to your posts from your peers and instructor.
Which of the above strategies do you see at work in the sample posting below?
Sample Discussion
The response post is a winner because it incorporates several of the strategies mentioned; it reflects on a point made by another student, shares a resource and additional information and ends with a thoughtful question.
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6 Comments
[…] Writing Substantive Online Discussion Posts […]
Sometimes, I like to read posts and responses from my peers prior to writing my own. I do this to get a feel for the conversion and to see what topics are, or are not mentioned that maybe I could add some input to. This also helps me to think of ideas that I can use for my own initial response. Doing so helps me to avoid repeating the same answers as everyone else. It is not my intention to look for things to agree or disagree with. Reading initial thoughts and how my peers respond to one another is not only important, but interesting to take in and keep in mind. It is more that I feel that, by adding a different view, subject or idea on a topic with a unique response, is what will keep a conversation interesting. Turning ideas in different directions is also good communication and “food for thought” to others.
You make some great points, Kindra, especially reading other posts beforehand to avoid repeating what has already been said and “turning ideas in different directions.” Thanks for sharing!
It has been my experience that online discussions can make a difference between receiving higher or lower grade. Thanks for sharing!
Very informative
As a recent graduate of a doctoral online studies program, I used peer reviewed journals as references for the discussion question and the response postings. In both cases examples were provided from my professional and or personal experiences. A high level of scholarship should be applied to online discussion posts and formal assignments.
Online discussion posts count as part of the students final grade and need to be taken as seriously as formal assignments. In some cases they could mean the difference between getting an A or a B or B or a C.
The strategies mentioned and the examples provided will enable online students to receive full credit on their discussion posts.