The problem we often find on discussion boards is that participants answer the question, aimed directly to the facilitator. Often they don’t interact with each other. Faculty Focus (from Penn State) has a good article suggesting ideas like Role Playing, WebQuests, and Debates to keep the conversation flowing among peers. ” If you’re having trouble getting students to engage in the discussion forum, perhaps it’s time to rethink how you use this tool. “Think of it as a place to foster interaction between the students through a variety of means rather than just asking them questions, although that’s great too,” says Chris Laney, professor of history and geography at Berkshire Community College.”
via Discussion Board Assignments: Alternatives to the Question-and-Answer Format | Faculty Focus.
New Images of Education 