| THREADED
DISCUSSIONS What
is a threaded discussion?
A
threaded discussion is an online dialogue centered on a given topic. The
thread is the line that connects the theme back to the start of the discussion.
The topic is usually started or "posted" by the first user who
invites others to add their comments or observations. Organized threaded
discussions often take place in forums. Within these forums any number
of individual discussions may take place. Forums exist all over the Internet
and focus on many and varied issues. Examples of forum themes include
politics, technology, medicine and health. Moderators can explicitly include
or exclude users by requiring them to subscribe to the forum/discussion
group.
Threaded
discussions operate in a similar manner to a chat room with one major
exception. Chat room conversations are in real time. That is, the user
must be present to enter the discussion and respond to the comments of
others. Participants in threaded discussions may login at any time and
add their comments, respond to others comments or start a new discussion
(if they have rights to do so from the forum operator). The user reads
the comments of others and if interested can add a response regardless
of when they were originally posted.
- Online
Collaboration: Discussion Boards
Another key tool in online collaboration is a discussion board, sometimes
referred to as message boards. Where internet users can read, post and
reply to online messages. Watch this Kidz Online 3:45 minute
video fo find out more about discussion boards.
Why
use them?
Teachers
can use threaded discussions to guide the thinking process around themes
being taught in the classroom. There are several benefits to their use.
Many students are already familiar with chat on the Internet. The process
of using threaded discussions is even more straightforward. Potential
benefits include:
- Students
have time to ponder their questions and responses before responding
- Students
and teachers can seek/provide help or clarification regarding material
taught in class
- The teacher
can create a sense of community
- Teachers
can (and should) monitor discussions and are able to moderate by guiding
discussions and removing/editing posts as necessary
- Colleagues
can share insights and observations amongst themselves. Problem solving
and idea generation can be enhanced through this method. It doesn't
require that any participant be present to contribute. This is an asset
for busy teachers.
How is
it done?
Discussion
threads require both software and hardware provided by the school (or
division) or the use of an outside service. In some cases such as with
Yahoo Groups, the service is provided at no cost. This mirrors the free
services offered for e-mail.
The method
for creating internally ones own threaded discussions varies with the
software tools available. If your school already has a website, most of
the battle has already been won. Software programs such as FrontPage include
the ability to create and manage discussion threads (known as discussion
webs in FrontPage). Listed below are links for creating and using threaded
discussions. The prerequisites vary from simple Internet access to a centralized
server (a computer that stores and manages the data) the teacher may use.
Many school divisions offer these services and will make them available
to the teacher.
N.B. The
first place to go for help is the software itself. Clicking on the help
button in most software programs will guide you to tutorials on how to
complete the process of creating discussion webs.
Microsoft
FrontPage - follow one of these links
Free Services
- Yahoo
Groups - this site allows you to create and manage threads. The
moderator can restrict users to those with the appropriate password.
- Google
Groups
- create and join groups to discuss topics
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