Wiki Page, AP CSP: What Are Discussions, Forums, or Threaded Discussions?

Wiki Page
2016-07-21T11:18:31-06:00

Discussions, Threaded Discussions and Internet Forums

Internet Forums Defined

What are Discussions, Threaded Discussions and Internet forums and why do people use them?

An Internet forum, as described by WiseGeek, is:

"...a discussion area on a website. Website members can post discussions and read and respond to posts by other forum members. An Internet forum can be focused on nearly any subject and a sense of an online community, or virtual community, tends to develop among forum members.

An Internet forum is also called a message board, discussion group, bulletin board or web forum. However, it differs from a blog, the name for a web log, as a blog is usually written by one user and usually only allows for the responses of others to the blog material. An Internet forum usually allows all members to make posts and start new topics."

A forum, therefore, is a powerful communications tool that allows us to communicate and discuss topics and ideas, at any time and from anywhere as long as we have a computer and Internet access.

The forums in this class will be an important part of your grade; many of your future college courses will require you to use forums as part of the course, so this is great practice for your future college courses!

The cool thing about using a forum is that you can take your time (well, within the time frame that the teacher allows) to post your reply (answer). You can create a draft, then rewrite it until you are happy with your response; this also allows everyone to participate!

Discussions, Threaded Discussions and Internet Forums Defined

Canvas provides an integrated system for focused and threaded discussions, which allows both instructors and students to start and contribute to as many discussion topics as desired. Discussions can also be created as an assignment for grading purposes (which is then seamlessly integrated with the Canvas Gradebook), or simply serve as a forum for topical and current events. Discussions can also be created within student groups.

Discussion, Threaded Discussions, and Internet Forum Guidelines

For forums to be effective, guidelines and rules are established in order to provide a safe space for students to have their thoughts respected, supported, and heard. The Sweetwater Union High School District expects you to follow district rules on appropriate behavior, and they will be applied to forums.

For the "do's and don'ts" and online forum etiquette, click on the following links.

dosanddonts.pdf

Online Forum Etiquette

Please follow the guidelines and rules when subscribing and posting messages within a forum.

Instructor Response Time

I will be responding to your answers, questions, posts, and/or discussions within 24 to 48 hours; most instructors will answer between 24 hours to a week.