Teaching Online at UTAS

When setting up Discussion activities, it is important to make the purpose of the discussion and the rules of engagement very clear.

Include clear instructions, a purpose for the discussion and some rules in the Description of your Discussion Topic.

Here is an example of a Description for a Discussion Topic. It was used by Educational Designer/Developer, Peta Statham, when she coordinated the UnitStart Distance unit. You are welcome to  adapt it for use in your own units. For information about how to set up a Discussion Topic, including a Description, click here.

Got a question about UniStart or the university culture?

Please add your questions by selecting the Start a New Thread button. Before you do, take a quick look through the existing threads in the discussion. Someone may already have asked a similar question and the answer may be here already. You can search for a keyword using the search field seen at the top right of the Discussion window.

We will attempt to respond to your posts within 2 business days. We will do so by replying to your thread.

Please note that this is public forum. If your question is personal in nature, contact us directly by email.

When using this topic, observe these rules: 

• Do not post personal information like your address and phone number.
• If you have a question that is personal in nature (e.g. regarding illness or other issues impacting on your studies), please email or phone the Distance Support Team directly.
• Use clear, simple language and avoid the use of jargon, slang or ‘text’ (mobile phone) speak.
• Use the discussion for the purpose it was intended for: to ask questions about this unit and university study generally, and to find answers. Please do not use this topic for social purposes or to make general comments. Suggestions or feedback about the unit can be emailed to the Unit Coordinator directly.
• Do not swear or put down others. This is meant to be a supportive environment, not a place for conflict or power-plays.
• This is not a platform to push personal opinions or ideals. Any critique or comments you make should be supported by evidence, related directly to the unit content, activities and assessment, and phrased in a constructive manner.  You will find these starter phrases helpful when trying to express agreement or disagreement in a constructive manner.
• A post or reply that does not adhere to these rules may be deemed inappropriate. Inappropriate posts will may be removed at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator. Students who continue to add inappropriate posts may have their access to the discussion topic removed altogether.
• If you spot an inappropriate post, please contact the Unit Coordinator immediately by email. Don’t try and respond to the post yourself.

Modelling discussion techniques

Never assume that your students know HOW to discuss effectively. Providing sample sentence starters may help your students frame a question, agreement or disagreement more effectively and help them feel confident in their reply. Here are some examples that you are welcome to provide to your students.

Agreeing with a comment

• I agree with your comment because…
• I really like the way you have…, because…
• One of the strong points of your argument/comment is…, because…
• I find your perspective on this interesting because…

Disagreeing with a comment

• While I can understand the point of view that you have offered, I feel that…, because…
• I question the validity of this comment because…
• I disagree with this comments because…
• I appreciate that this might be the case in some circumstances, however…
• I find it difficult to agree with this comment…
• I have a different take on this because…

Asking for clarification

• I found your comment interesting. Could you provide some examples of what it might mean?
• How might this apply in other situations?
• Could you please explain your comment in more detail?
• It would be useful if you could provide some examples of this.
• It would be useful if you could illustrate this in more detail.

Adding additional information/thoughts to a comment

• I thought it might be useful to add that…
• Another interpretation of this could be…
• … is another example of this.
• Some useful/further examples of this are…
• What other questions should we be asking about…?
• What other approaches could we take to this?