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Ask CTLT

QUESTION: I’m getting ready for next semester and am interested in using the Blackboard discussion board for the first time as a supplement to my traditional class. I don’t want to have graded discussions or spend a lot of time on it until I have more experience and am more comfortable using it. What can I do that’s low maintenance but still useful?

ANSWER:
The Blackboard discussion board is a great supplemental tool for your class! If you want to make a minimal investment that pays back big dividends (and who isn‘t interested in a sweet deal like that), here are the four topics (forums) that I would recommend that you create.

  1. General Course and Syllabus Topics
     This is THE BIG one! This topic should be the place where students post when they have questions about your assignments, due dates, grading policies, calendar, etc. Tell them up front that ALL of these types of questions should be posted in this topic and that they should only send you email for personal communications. Check this topic regularly (at least every couple of days) and allow students to answer, too!

    Note: If you do receive questions by e-mail that should have been posted in this topic, reply by letting students know that they are great questions that everyone will want to know the answer. Ask students to post the questions to the discussion board so you can answer them there! If you receive a question that you‘ve already answered on the discussion board, thank the student and let him or her know that it was such a great question that you already answered it on the discussion board and s/he should check there for the answer!

    The Payoff: You‘ll be able to answer questions once, for everyone, exactly the same way, and in some cases students will be able to assist each other. And after the first month, you‘ll cut down on email questions dramatically. Trust me (or ask around) this really does work! As an extra bonus, you‘ll have a record of areas that you need to address (clarity of instructions, items to include in your policies, etc.) when you prepare your class the next time!

  2. Tech Support. Let me first point out that if students are having technology problems, they should contact the Help Desk at 438-HELP (and you should provide this information in your forum description). Unfortunately, the Help Desk isn‘t available 24/7 and sometimes students’ technology issues are pressing. This forum would be a place for students to ask technology-related questions. Often, other students who have experienced the same problem or who are a little more tech-savvy will be able to respond immediately. Once a few questions are posted (and answered), students will also be able to check this topic first to see if someone else has had the problem and find out how it was solved.

    The Payoff: Students may be able to have their technology questions addressed much sooner or after hours! (This may tie into greater success and satisfaction.)

  3. In the News. One of the challenges we all seem to face as instructors is how to share all of the really cool, current, relevant news articles we find with our students. I don‘t know about you, but I never have enough time to introduce them all into my classes, but still want to point them out and provide students with access. Students should be encouraged to comment on articles that resonate with them. You can decide whether or not you want to allow students to also contribute articles to this topic.

    The Payoff: Students will see how your course relates to what‘s happening in their world! If we can help show relevance, we can help get (and keep) them engaged. And REALLY, some times they will start spontaneous discussions about your subject matter voluntarily!

  4. Student Café. This topic would be a place for students to communicate about non-course- related topics and information. You should let students know that this is NOT a topic that you will be monitoring for course questions: it‘s theirs to talk about whatever they‘d like (within the framework of acceptable behavior and Illinois State University policy.)

    The Payoff: You‘ve given students a place to build community. Even if students do not post to this topic, you‘ve provided them the opportunity.