Designing Discussion for Online and Blended Courses

This book supports teaching and learning through online discussion in higher education contexts such as universities, colleges, and polytechnics. It presents an explicit focus on popular asynchronous discussion tools and methods, with attention to disciplinary variety and key principles for successful learning-oriented discussion. It tackles the challenges faced by tertiary teachers implementing online discussion, and outlines common concerns and productive solutions to enhance the effectiveness and manageability of online discussions for teachers. This book also presents a parallel focus on the difficulties commonly experienced by students learning through online discussion. It offers advice for new online learners in a practical and accessible way, and considers assessment issues related to online discussion. Finally, this book offers innovative ideas for future-oriented online discussion in the higher education context.