Please relax and enjoy the Discussion Board. This means...do not worry so much about formatting and such in your writing...the idea is to allow ideas to flow from each of you and then for everyone to add to the idea. So first and foremost relax...if you make a typo...tis OK.
The following are some points to consider. And it goes without saying, please be respectful to each other.
1. Limit your messages to under 500 words, if possible....trust me I am not going to count them:)
2. Be sure your posting is relevant to the topic you are posting to.
3. Read as many and as much as you have time for...do a little at a time if necessary, but try to read the majority.
4. Respond to your peers if you like...every idea is a seed...we decide if it grows or not.
5. Visit the Discussion Board often.
6. Be an active listener. Respect what others have to say by reading and reflecting on existing posts.
7. asking good questions, avoid making judgments, focusing on ideas, and refraining from personal attacks.
8. Participate fully through sharing your own views and encouraging others to do the same.
9. Stay on topic. Add postings that are relevant to chosen threads or boards.
10. Exiting the Discussion Board be sure to use the links at the bottom of the page.
You can use this checklist to evaluate your own contributions before
you click on "post."
Checklist by Eileen Eckert
Original messages
- I have summarized the key ideas in a reading or group of readings and stated what they mean to me (my opinion and the reasons for it)
- I have discussed or given examples of how the key ideas apply to me or why they don't
- I have discussed how this reading connects to others
Replies to other messages
- I have re-stated the author's point in my own words
- I have given reasons or examples of my own for agreeing or disagreeing with the author's point
- I have added to the original idea with my own reasons, evidence, or examples
- I have shown another way to look at the issue being discussed
- I have asked a clarifying question