Use this checklist before adding a discussion forum to your course. Strong discussions do not happen by accident. They have a clear purpose, are easy for students to navigate, and invite meaningful engagement. As you review each section, you will quickly confirm why the forum exists, how it will work, and how it can create a richer learning experience for your students.
Purpose
- Which learning objective does it assess (if any)?
- Does it build community?
- Is it for reflection?
Practicalities
- What type of forum should you use?
- What resources do students need?
- What criteria should the rubric include?
- When should the posts and responses be due?
Possibilities
- How could you be creative with the forum?
- What authentic resources might you include?
- How could you incorporate authentic scenarios?
- How might students take the lead in this activity?
