Course Design Strategies

The steps below summarize the process for designing an effective online discussion activity.

1. Identify specific goals for using online discussion within your course. These are your goals as a teacher, which are different from (although related to) learning goals for your students.
   Do you want to foster communication outside of class meetings?
2. Specify the learning objectives associated with this activity.
   What specific skills/understanding must the students demonstrate at the end of this activity?
3. Plan a method for assessing student accomplishment of each learning objective.
   What criteria will be measured to show students achievement and understanding? How will you grade students?
4. Decide which discussion activity best suits the objectives.
   How will this discussion activity help students develop the skills defined by the learning objectives?
5. Develop online participation guidelines for both you and the students (assessment will be based on these guidelines) and your grading rubric.
   How will you grade participation?