10 Forum
A forum is an online discussion space that underpins virtual/online learning communities. Forums enable asynchronous discussion in which each participant contributes at her/his convenient time. To organise a forum discussion, you will start a discussion or forum thread by posting a prompt post. Then, learners will respond by replying to the prompt post or replying to a reply to the prompt post. All posts on the same topic constitute a thread and must be listed under the same heading.
As an eTutor, you monitor learners' contributions to the threads, probe their contributions for further details if necessary and encourage silent learners to contribute by asking them personally to provide their thoughts or opinions. You will also keep the discussion in order. When learners have made enough contribution to the thread, you will bring the discussion in this particular thread to a smooth end with a thank you note to all contributors, a summary of key points that emerged in the discussion under the thread (citing contributors) and transitioning learners to the next/following/current section.
Learners may also start and host their forum threads. Make sure that the main focus remains on the course content. You will intervene in forum threads started by learners when conflict, framing or problems emerge. You will also encourage learners who started the thread to bring the discussion to a smooth end by expressing their gratitude to contributors and highlighting key points (citing contributors) that were raised under their respective threads. If no other learner contributed to the thread started by a peer, you may contribute to it and close it or advise the initiating learner to close it.
Forum environment in online courses are protected and only learners in the course can access it. Beyond content discussion, forum may be used to collaboratively work on an assignment and brainstorm on a related theme or topic.