A tutor's guide to teaching and learning at UQ - TEDI - University of ...

Section 4: eLearning 41Some lingo that students use may be inappropriate. If you seeabbreviations or language that you are unsure about, type it into aninternet search engine and check its meaning. Alert the student toinappropriate language if necessary. Remember that policies on bullying,discrimination and harassment apply just as much in a virtual class as aface-to-face one.Online communication mechanismsDiscussion forums/ Bulletin boardsDiscussion forums or bulletin boards are a communication mechanism that is nonsynchronous.That means that participants make a contribution to a discussionindependent of time and place. Other users can access their posting when they next goonline. Often discussion areas are comprised of different forums for different topics.Using topics can often make the discussion area a little easier for students to navigate.Discussion forums can be used to achieve many different goals. For example:♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦For information sharing amongst students and between yourself and students.As a mechanism for students getting to know each other and you.For processing ideas that come up in lectures or readings.As tutorials focused on tutorial questions and activities.To increase team skills by working collaboratively on projects.As a student space for helping each other and discussing areas that may bedifficult or confusing.To provide feedback to students as a group.As a space where students can interact with industry specialists and expertsindependent of time and place.For debates or lively discussions on meaty issues.For assessment items where discussion, communication and interaction withother students are key criteria.