Characteristics of a Quality Online
Discussion Posting or Message
SUBSTANTIAL
Messages should relate to the subject matter and provide
information, opinions or questions about that subject matter. The
focus should be academic.
CONCISE
Studies have shown that messages that are several screens
long do not get many replies. To write an effective message,
attempt to use a single screen if possible. Try to get the point
and focus of your message across so that it is clear what you are
saying.
PROVOCATIVE
The bulletin/discussion board is an interactive medium. The
more interaction the better. A good message is one that prompts
others to reply or object. A focused and pointed message that
produces replies from other learners in that class in moving the
discussion forward is having an impact on the learning
environment.
HERMENEUTICAL
The bulletin/discussion board is a place where ideas are
interpreted and language is explored. To be hermeneutical is to
interpret. A good message should explore, explain, or expand on a
concept or connection. The message should not simply state
something, but rather expand upon an idea.
TIMELY
A good message appears in the context of similar messages in
the message log. If you get on irregularly, your message will
appear late and out of context with what is currently happening on
the board. Get on regularly and reply to messages in a timely
fashion.
LOGICAL
A good message that is not a question should contain a
logical argument. This means it should contain a clearly stated
conclusion of thesis supported by premises, reason, evidence or
grounds of belief.
GRAMMATICAL: A good, clear, concise message should be well written
and free of typos and sentence fragments.
Suggested Benchmarks of a Successful
Online Course
No later than the second week of a sixteen-week semester, all
students should be online and leaving messages. Remember, an online
semester BEGINS the same week that an onsite semester begins.
Each student should produce five to ten messages per week in a
sixteen-week semester and double that number in an eight-week
semester.
At least 70% of the messages in a discussion board should be
from learner to learner. It is required that students comment and
expand upon the ideas of their virtual classroom peers. This
interaction and participation is a huge part of what transpires in
the virtual learning environment.
If you have a large class and have broken the class into groups
you may want to assign discussion topics (or have a student leader
for each group assign topics) for the group. Students would
participate in the discussion for their group only.
The information above is derived from Mercy College online
resources.